1.
SV INT Models parading (2 shots)
0.08

2.
SV Judges
0.10

3.
SV Models parading (2 shots)
0.18

4.
SV Spectators
0.21

5.
SV Models parading (4 shots)
0.29

6.
SV Guests
0.32

7.
SV Models parading (2 shots)
0.42

8.
SV Guests applaud
0.43

9.
CU Models parade in file (including 19, eventual winner)
1.04

10.
SV Judges confer
1.07

11.
SV & CU (2 shots) Miss Lebanon acted with Miss Baghdad.
1.15

12.
SV Models wearing mini-skirts stand in front of judges
1.20

13.
SV Judge announces winner
1.23

14.
SCU New Miss Iraq walks onto stage and site in chair
1.30

15.
SV Guests
1.34

16.
Miss Iraq 1972 crowned by Miss Lebanon and Miss Baghdad.
1.46


24 CONTESTANTS PARADING: WINNER CROWNED BY MISS LEBANON.




Initials BB/1430 JH/AW/BB/1430



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Iraq has just chosen its first national beauty queen. The contest was held as a grand finals to a Tourism Week which ended this week.

The event had the full backing of the official Resort and Tourism Establishment. High government officials and members of the Diplomatic Corps were there to see the sow.

The Government of Iraq is making a big drive at present to encourage tourism, including spending millions of dinars on opening up the Kurdish mountain areas of the north as a summer resort.

SYNOPSIS: Twenty-four of Iraq's most beautiful girls lined up before a panel of judges in Baghdad, in a contest to choose "Miss Iraq 1972". It was the first national beauty contest of its kind in Iraq, and was held as the grand finale to Tourism Week.

High government officials and foreign Ambassadors were there to see the show. The girls had to walk twice past the judges--once in fairly formal dress, and later in mini-skirts.

Nerves get tighter as the girls come round again. Blondes, brunettes and redheads, their dresses a kaleidoscope of colour and styles. Keep a special watch out for Number 19.

With no personal interest in the verdict this time: two crowned queens, Miss Lebanon and last year's Miss Baghdad.

The waiting is over and the announcement proclaims: Miss Iraq 1972 - Number 19, a senior student at a business administration college.

The two established queens come up to crown her. Miss Iraq said she was "unbelievably happy" with the result.