
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 5, 1994                   TAG: 9401050141
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

WILDER PAYS VISIT TO NOW-OPEN TRADE OFFICE

Gov. Douglas Wilder visited Virginia's new trade office in Dakar, Senegal, on Tuesday, but how long the office will remain open was uncertain.

Wilder arrived in Africa on Sunday for a six-day trip that also will include the opening of a trade office in Gaborone, Botswana. The state is spending $250,000 on the two offices.

"The opening of Virginia's African trade offices in Botswana and Senegal is a symbol of our permanent commitment to expanding our cultural and trade relations with the African continent," Wilder said as he left Richmond.

Wilder will return to the United States at the end of the week and turn his office over to Gov.-elect George Allen a week later.

Allen plans to focus on expanding Virginia trade with Eastern Europe. He will study whether to keep the African trade offices, said Ken Stroupe, his transition spokesman.

- Associated Press

by CNB