1.
GV LEGISLATIVE BUILDING.
0.04

2.
SV MINISTER OF EDUCATION MR. BALDEH ARRIVING.
0.07

3.
SV S.M. DIBBA, MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARRIVES.
0.09

4.
SV PRIME MINISTER JAWARA OUT OF CAR.
0.12

5.
SV INTO BUILDING.
0.15

6.
GV INT MEMBERS IN CHAMBER.
0.19

7.
SV SPEAKER TAKING SEAT.
0.23

8.
LV MEMBERS SEATED.
0.27

9.
LV UNITED NATION'S PLANE TAXIING.
0.31

10.
SV DELEGATES OUT OF PLANE, GREETED BY MR. DAVID PERCIVAL OF GAMBIA.
0.36

11.
SV DELEGATES BEING GREETED.
0.38

12.
LV DELEGATED WALK FROM PLANE.
0.41



Initials JM/S/JH/ES



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: LAST WEEK, THE GAMBIAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MET FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE COUNTRY ACHIEVED FULL INTERNAL SELF-GOVERNMENT ON OCTOBER 4TH. IT WAS A MOMENT OF CONSIDERABLE TRIUMPH FOR THE PRIME MINISTER, MR. DAVID JAWARA, WHO NEGOTIATED THIS LATEST ADVANCE IN CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, FOR BRITAIN'S OLDEST COLONY IN AFRICA. HE PLEDGED THAT INDEPENDENCE WOULD COME AS SOON REALISTICALLY POSSIBLE.

THE FOLLOWING DAY A UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ARRIVED IN BATHURST. THE COMMISSION WILL LOOK INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF A FUTURE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN GAMBIA AND SENEGAL, WHICH GAINED INDEPENDENCE FROM FRANCE THREE YEARS AGO. THE COMMISSION'S REPORT, EXPECTED AFTER CHRISTMAS, WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE BRITISH, GAMBIAN AND SENEGALESE GOVERNMENTS, BUT IS NOT BINDING ON ANY OF THEM.

NOW MR. JAWARA HAS GAINED FULL AUTHORITY AT HOME, HIS HAND WILL BE STRENGTHENED IN FUTURE NEGOTIATIONS WITH SENEGAL.