1.
SV: Prime Minister Abdou Diouf arrives and is greeted by health minister Matar Diop and medical corps members.
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2.
SV: banner on conference building.
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3.
SV PAN: members seated at conference (2 shots)
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4.
CU: president of surgeons of France association, M. Marchal, speaking.
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5.
SV: Prime Minister Diouf and French Ambassador listening.
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6.
SV: delegates listening
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7.
SV PAN FROM: Prime Minister Diouf speaking to delegates listening. (2 shots)
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8.
SV: delegates applaud
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Initials RH/MW/AW/1702



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The annual conference of the French chapter of the International College of Surgeons, which opened on Thursday (18 November), was held for the first time in an African country.

SYNOPSIS: The chapter decided to meet in Dakar, Senegal, with the ultimate aim of forming an African chapter to the college. The conference was opened by Senegal's Prime Minister Abdou Diouf, here being greeted outside the conference hall by the Health Minister Matar Diop and members of the medical corps.

More than 200 surgeons and medical officials from France and Senegal attended the conference, which lasted three days. Speeches on the opening day were given by the joint presidents of the conference, Professor Georges Marchal, who is president of the French Surgeon Association, and Prime Minister Diouf.

Highlight of the conference was expected to be two round table discussions, one on surgery on single cells, chaired by Professor Francillon of Lyon, and the other on perforation of the small intestine, chaired by Professor Edelman of Paris.