SV Mintoff arrives PAN TO large crowd

SV Mintoff walks onto platform

GV Large crowd applauding and weaving banners as Mintoff prepares to speak (2 shots)

CU Mintoff on platform

GV PAN ACROSS Crowd listening TO Mintoff speaking in Maltese (6 shots)
Initials BB/1925 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Malta's Prime Minister Dom Mintoff told a mass rally--part of May Day celebrations--on Sunday (27 April) in Valletta that his Government has reached an agreement with Libya to buy oil at cheaper rates.

Mr. Mintoff said that deal would enable the Government to cut the price of industrial fuel, but he warned the Maltese against wasting fuel.

He claimed that Malta was one of the first countries to have overcome the fuel crisis.

The Prime Minister, who is the leader of the Malta Labour Party, praised workers for their unity and hard work which he said cushioned the recession that hit their industries.

Thousands of people attended the rally.