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CU Registration plate of Mercedes PULL BACK TO SV Damaged car
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SV PAN ALONG Car showing interior damage
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GV PAN Street scene with onlookers
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SV Body of former Nicaraguan President somoza in street and girlfriend Deborah Sampson approaching in tears.
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TELERECORDING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Paraguayan authorities have accused two Argentines of taking part in the assassination of exiled Nicaraguan dictators Anastasio Somoza. A widespread search is continuing for the six men who blew up the former President in his car on Wednesday (17 September). Somoza had been living in Paraguay since he was ousted from nicaragua by a bloody civil war.

SYNOPSIS: The ambush came as the 54-year-old General was driving his white Mercedes just a short distance from his home in Asuncion. the car was blown to pieces by a bazooka shell, fired from a nearby building. The explosion also killed Somoza's bodyguard, and his driver, who was hurled 20 metres along the road. The assassins made a second attack from two speeding cars, spraying the bodies with machinegun fire. Although police pursued them, they managed to discard their vehicles and evade capture. The government immediately closed Paraguay's border with Argentina, and a massive manhunt was ordered to stop them leaving the country.

As firemen removed the remains of the body from the wreckage, Somoza's long-time girlfriend, Deboarah Sampson, arrive in a distraught condition, demanding to see him. She had to be assisted by doctors at the scene. Somoza's death came just 14 months to the day after he was forced into exile by popular revolt. The Paraguayan government has announced a reward of 40 thousand US dollars for information leading to the capture of the six men.