1.
AERIAL VIEWS Forests in the Monts de Cristal region. (3 shots)
0.24

2.
SV PAN DO Tree TO man with chain saw.
0.30

3.
CU Cutting through large tree.
0.36

4.
GV ZOOM TO Bulldozer clearing roadway through jungle. (3 shots)
0.58

5.
TRAVEL SHOT On truck through jungle.
1.07

6.
CU ZOOM OUT FROM Man cutting tree with chain saw AND ??? UP TO top of tree.
1.20

7.
SV Tree falling.
1.28

8.
SU AND CU Stumps of trees.
1.38

9.
SV Bulldozer picking up log and placing it or lorry. (3 shots)
2.00

10.
SV Man typing log on to lorry and lorry departing. (2 shots)
2.24



Initials VS 16.35 VS 17.00



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Gabon, the West African state that straddles the Equator, possesses vast forests, and until the start of mineral exploitation in the early 1960s, the economy was virtually dependent on the timber industry.

But the huge forest reserves are likely to be more carefully exploited in the future. French timber companies have almost exhausted the coastal zone and are moving into the interior.

Concessions are going only to Gabonese nowadays, and companies have been ordered to pay a flat 15 per cent to concession holders.

Because of changes in timber taxation, many companies are saying that they will see no profits from the second cutting zone for several years.

But despite these and other problems--transport being one of the most serious--exploitation of the timber reserves of the Monts de Cristal area of Gabon is going ahead, using modern mechanical methods.

The most plentiful and important wood in Gabon is okoume, which is used in the manufacture of plywood. Gabon is the world's largest producer. Other woods indigenous to the area include mahogany, abony and walnut.