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GV EXTERIOR Crowd watching procession in Momimbo, Nicaragua
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CU Costa Rican President Rodrigo Carazo Odio walking in procession and waving (2 shots)
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GV Dancers in national costume dancing in square
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SV President Carazo watching as dance continues (3 shots)
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SV President Carazo surrounded by members of Nicaraguan military junta struggling through packed crowd (2 shots
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GV President Carazo on dais with junta members
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SV President Carazo and junta commander Daniel Ortega gesturing
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SV Nicaraguan Archbishop Monsignor Miguel Obano y Bravo taking crown from cushion
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GV Archbishop walking to altar and holding crown aloft
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TV Crowd applauding
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SV Crown placed on head of Virgin statue, and crowd waving (3 shots)
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The people of the Masayan department in southwestern Nicaragua have celebrated the arrival of what they call their 'new society' with the coronation of a statue of the Virgin Mary. The ceremony, in the village of Monimbo, was attended by members of the ruling junta, and by President Rodrigo Carazo odio of Costa Rica.

SYNOPSIS: Before the coronation ceremony, there was a procession. President Carazo has had more experience in leading a country than the Nicaraguan junta. He was elected in february 1978 to lead a conservative coalition of four parties. Dancers in national costume swayed in the Plaza Magdalena with a measured tread that was in keeping with the solemn occasion.

Their activities came just a month after the country had celebrated the first anniversary of the overthrow of the former dictator Anastasio Somoza. The crowning was in part as a gesture acknowledging the victory of the Sandinista forces that flushed Somoza from power. The junta's flushed Somoza from power. The junta's commander, Daniel Ortega, was President Carazo's host.

The coronation was performed by Archbishop Miguel Obando y Bravo. Masaya township is at the eastern foot of Mayasa volcano, and its large Indian population is noted for its festivals.

The statue of the Virgin of the Assumption plays a major part in the legend of Monimbo, which somehow avoided major death or devastation in ancient times when the volcano erupted.