1.
GV AIRCRAFT TAXI IS IN
0.06

2.
SV RAMANTSOA STEPS FROM AIRCRAFT, AND IS GREETED BY AIR VICE-MARSHAL HEWARD
0.19

3.
SV GUARD OF HONOUR
0.24

4.
SV RAMANTSOA INSPECTS GUARD OF HONOUR (2 SHOTS)
0.35

5.
GV INT. HANGAR, PARACHUTISTS TRAIN PAN TO RAMANTSOA
0.45

6.
SV PARACHUTISTS FALL
0.58

7.
CU RAMANTSOA
1.04

8.
SV PRACTICE JUMP
1.12

9.
CU FLAG ON CAR PULL BACK TO GV AIR FIELD
1.20

10.
CU RAMANTSOA TALKS TO OFFICERS
1.28

11.
LV PARACHUTISTS JUMP FROM AIRCRAFT
1.34

12.
SV ZOOM IN RAMANTSOA WATCHING
1.47

13.
SV PARACHUTISTS COMING DOWN
1.55

14.
SV PARACHUTIST COMES DOWN AND LANDS WITHOUT ROLL
2.05

15.
CU RAMANTSOA ZOOM BACK
2.13

16.
SV ANOTHER PARACHUTISTS COMES DOWN AND ROLLS
2.22

17.
SV RAMANTSOA CONGRATULATES INSTRUCTORS
2.32



Initials LD/V/AS/PC



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: GENERAL GABRIEL RAMANTSOA, CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE MALAGASY REPUBLIC'S ARMED FORCES, IS IN BRITAIN AS THE OFFICIAL GUEST OF THE GOVERNMENT. HE ARRIVED LAST SUNDAY (11 MAY) FOR TALKS WITH CHIEFS OF STAFF OF THE BRITISH ARMY, NAVY AND AIR FORCE. AS PART OF HIS OFFICIAL PROGRAMME, HE TODAY (FRIDAY) VISITED THE ROYAL AIR FORCE SUPPORT COMMAND AT ABINGDON (SCA) NEAR LONDON, WHERE HE WATCHED A DISPLAY BY THE FAMOUS "FALCON" PARACHUTIST TEAM.

AT ABINGDON, GENERAL RAMANTSOA WAS MET BY AIR VICE-MARSHAL HEWARD OF THE SCA. AFTER INSPECTING THE RAF HONOUR GUARD, THE PARTY VISITED THE INSTALLATIONS BEFORE GOING TO WATCH THE PARACHUTISTS TRAINING. FOLLOWING THE BEGINNERS FREE-FALL. THE VISITOR HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF SEEING A FULL DISPLAY BY THE FAMOUS "FALCON" PARACHUTE TEAM OF THE RAF.

DURING HIS WEEK-LONG STAY IN BRITAIN, THE MALAGASY CHIEF OF STAFF IS ACCORDED FULL MILITARY HONOURS AND HIS ENGAGEMENTS WILL TAKE HIM TO ALL THE MAJOR ARMED FORCES BASES IN THE SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST, WHERE HE WILL SEE THEIR OPERATIONS AND DISCUSS TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS WITH SENIOR OFFICERS.

ON ARRIVAL HE HAD A BRIEFING SESSION WITH THE BRITISH CHIEFS OF STAFF OF THE ARMY, NAVY AND AIR FORCE AT THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, AND BEFORE LEAVING HE WILL AGAIN MEET WITH THEM TO BE BRIEFED ON DEFENCE POLICIES.

WHILE GENERAL RAMANTSOA VISITED THE AIR SUPPORT COMMAND, HIS WIFE - WHO ALSO TAKES GREAT INTEREST IN SUCH MATTERS - WAS THE OFFICIAL GUEST OF THE WOMEN'S ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE (WRNS) AT NEARBY BURGHFIELD. EARLIER SHE HAD ALSO VISITED THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE WOMEN'S ROYAL VOLUNTARY SERVICE WHO HELP LOCAL AUTHORITIES WITH WELFARE WORKS AND IN EMERGENCIES.

AT THE END OF THE PARACHUTISTS' DISPLAY OF SKILL, GENERAL RAMANTSOA CONGRATULATED THE INSTRUCTORS BEFORE RETURNING TO LONDON.