1.
GV Boulevard with Independence Monument
0.05

2.
CU Government traffic policeman with Pathet Lao policeman in background
0.08

3.
CU Civilians
0.11

4.
MV Pathet Lao policeman talking to shopkeeper
0.13

5.
SV Pathet Lao policeman
0.16

6.
SV Pathet Lao and government policeman
0.19

7.
GV Temple
0.22

8.
MV Pathet Lao soldiers
0.27

9.
CU Government soldier with radio
0.29

10.
CU Pathet Lao guard of honour ZOOM OUT TO Souphanouvong walking past
0.37

11.
MV & CU Crowd
0.42

12.
CU Guard of honour
0.45

13.
CU Prince Souvanna walks past and enters temple
0.51

14.
CU Loudspeaker
0.54

15.
MV Monks listening
0.58

16.
SV Radio truck
0.01

17.
CU Soldier
1.02

18.
MV Souvanna leaves temple
1.05

19.
MV Applauding crowd
1.09

20.
MCU Souvanna enters car
1.17

21.
MCU Photographers
1.18

22.
MCU Souphanouvong
1.23

23.
CU Crowd applauding
1.25

24.
SV Souphanouvong enters car
1.31

25.
CU Crowd
1.34

26.
RV Car leaves
1.41



Initials BB/2035 JT/DE/BB/2116



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In a traditional Buddhist ceremony held at the ongtu pagoda in Vientiane on Saturday (6 April) the new Laotian coalition Government swore allegiance to the King and the State.

The coalition follows months of tough negotiations between Prince Souvanna Phouma's government and the pro-communist Pathet Lao. It will still be headed by Prince Souvanna and will consist of five members from the former Vientiane government, five from the Pathet Lao and two neutral members.

The pagoda ceremony was attended by all members of the new government, and Prince souvanna and Prince Souphanouvong, the Pathet Lao leader who has recently returned from Hanoi in North Vietnam. His task is to be President of a newly-formed Council which will prepare the country for General Elections. The Council will be on a equal level with the Government.

The ceremony marks the end of the 20 years of civil war. The streets around the pagoda were thronged with people and were patrolled by troops and police from both the pathet Lao and the Vientiane government militia.

SYNOPSIS: In the streets of Vientiane, Laos, a government policeman -- the one in the white hat -- now often works in conjunction with police from the pro-communist Pathet Lao forces.

The Pathet Lao policemen are identifiable by their flat caps.

This co-operation follows the setting up of a new coalition government, formed on Saturday after months of tough negotiations between Prince Souvanna Phouma's Government and the pro-communist Pathet Lao.

The coalition Government members attended a special ceremony of allegiance on Saturday. The ceremony was also attended by prince Souphanouvong, the head of the Pathet Lao. He will be President of a Council entrusted with preparing for general elections.

Prince Souvanna Phouma will be head of the new coalition government.

The ceremony -- held at the Ongtu Pagoda -- was relayed to the crowd outside. The government members swore to follow Buddhist principles nd pledged allogiance to the king and State.

Prince Souphanouvong will not be a member of the Government but his Council will have government status.

Prince Souvanna's Government will consist of five members from his former administration, five from the Pathet Lao and two neutrals.

The ceremony attracted a great deal of interest as it marks the end of twenty years of civil war.