GENERAL ARRIVING ON BOARD BOAT; VARIOUS SHOTS OF GENERAL INSPECTING BOAT.




Initials JSU/VS/CT/SS



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: ON ITS WAY TO SERVICE IN THE MALAGASY NAVY COASTAL PATROL BOAT RECENTLY PUT IN FOR A BRIEF VISIT TO DAKAR. DURING ITS STAY THE VESSEL, ??? IN FRANCE, ATTRACTED A VIS FROM GENERAL DIALLO, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF SENEGAL'S ARMY.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE MILITARY ATTACHE TO THE FRENCH EMBASSY THE GENERAL WAS WELCOMED ON BOARD THE MAILAKA BY CAPTAIN RENAULT.

ALSO ON BOARD WAS CAPTAIN RATSIRAKA WHO IS TAKING PART IN THE VOYAGE TO FAMILIARISE HIMSELF WITH THE VESSEL, WHICH WILL UNDER HIS COMMAND WHEN OFFICIALLY HANDED OVER TO THE MALAGASY NAVY.

THE 270-TON VESSEL IS POWERED BY THE DIESEL ENGINES AND CAN REACH 18 KNOTS. ITS MAXIMUM CRUISING RANGE, AT 15 KNOTS IS APPROXIMATELY 3,000 MILES (4,800 KMS). ARMED WITH TWO 40MM CANONS THE MAILAKA HAS ACCOMMODATION FOR 35 OFFICERS AND MEN.\