President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela arrived today at 1:28 am for a three-day visit. His jet landed at the San Isidro Air Base where Minister of Foreign Relations Hugo Tolentino Dipp and Venezuelan Ambassador Julio Portillo received him. He is traveling with First Lady Maria Isabel Rodriguez and an 18-person committee that include Minister of Foreign Relations Luis Alfonso Davila and Minister of Education Hector Navarro. His official agenda is as follows: Friday, 9 March 10:30 am. Visit to the National Palace. Meeting with President Hipólito Mejia and First Lady Rosa Gómez. 12 noon. Visit to the Cathedral of Santo Domingo. There he will meet Cardinal Nicolás Lopez Rodríguez. 3 pm. Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo. At the state university he will receive an honorary degree. 5 pm. Visit to the National Congress. 8 pm. Exchange of condecorations. Meeting with the diplomatic corps, government ministers. National Palace. 8:30 pm. Reception in honor of President Chavez. Saturday, 10 March 10 am. Visit to former President Juan Bosch. 10:40 am. Visit to former President Joaquin Balaguer. 12 noon. Joint statement on the occasion of the visit of President Chavez. National Palace. 12:30 pm. Luncheon with Dominican and Venezuelan businessmen. Hotel V Centenario. 6:30 pm. Softball match with the Presidents as pitchers. Ministry of Armed Forces softball stadium. Sunday, 11 March Visit to the Caamaño family. 10 am. Satellite transmission of President Chavez’s "Alo Presidente" program from the state television station to Venezuela and DR. 3:30 pm. Interview with former President Leonel Fernandez. 6 pm. Departure to Venezuela.
