1.
GV DEMONSTRATORS OUTSIDE HALL
0.06

2.
LV & CU EXT..OF HALL WITH GUARDS OUTSIDE (2 SHOTS)
0.13

3.
SV & CU DEMONSTRATORS WITH BANNERS (4 SHOTS)
0.29

4.
SCU CLERKS ARRIVE
0.37

5.
SCU OFFICER IN CROWD
0.40

6.
SV MILITARY MEN ARRIVE
0.45

7.
SV PAN NEW PRESIDENT ARRIVES (PAN ON MAN WITH WHITE HAIR)
0.56



Initials AA/V/MR/EEH



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: SILVER-HAIRED GENERAL LUDVIK SVOBODA, HIS RIGHT HAND PLACED UPON THE CONSTITUTION, TODAY (SATURDAY) TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE AS THE NEW PRESIDENT OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA. THE 72-YEAR-OLD FORMER DEFENCE MINISTER WAS ELECTED BY 282 VOTES OUT OF THE 288 VOTES CAST IN A SECRET BALLOT.

CANNONS ROARED A SALUTE AND FLAGS WERE RAISED AS GENERAL SVOBODA CAME FORWARD FROM HIS SEAT AS A PARLIAMENTARY DEPUTY TO ACCEPT THE POST. THE CEREMONY TOOK PLACE IN THE MARVELLOUS VAULT OF THE VLADISLAV HALL OF PRAGUE CASTLE WHERE THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEETS.

AS GENERAL SVOBODA LEFT THE HALL, SEVERAL HUNDRED STUDENTS WHO HAD STAGED A SIT DOWN DEMONSTRATION IN A NEIGHBOURING COURTYARD SHOUTED IN CHORUS FOR THEIR CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT, THE PROGRESSIVE FORMER EDUCATION MINISTER CESTIMER CISAR. BUT THEY OBEYED WHEN MR. CISAR TOLD THEM THAT DEMOCRATIC RULES MUST BE RESPECTED AND THEY SHOULD JOIN IN WITH SEVERAL THOUSAND OTHER PEOPLE GREETING THE GENERAL.

AMONG THE INVITED GUESTS AT THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY WAS THE ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF PRAGUE, D. FRANTISEK TOMASEK AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH WHO HAVE LONG BEEN AT ODDS WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF MR. NOVOTNY.