1.
GV & CU Welcoming signs (4 shots)
0.16

2.
CU Girls wear print dresses with Presidents of Niger and France embroidered (2 shots)
0.30

3.
LV Niamey street scene
0.34

4.
LV PAN Decorated shops
0.38

5.
SCU Street vendor selling French flags
0.43

6.
SV Street scene with decorated dais (2 shots)
0.54

7.
GV & SV VIP stands being decorated (3 shots)
1.06

8.
LV Decorated Government buildings
1.07

9.
LV Decorated shops
1.12

10.
SV Gardeners prepare flower beds outside Chamber of Commerce
1.23



Initials BB/1300 TA/BOB/BB/1248



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Preparations for the arrival of French President Georges Pompidou in Niamey were being rushed into the finishing stages over the weekend (22-23 January). Flags and welcoming signs were displayed in almost every shop and building in Niger's capital city and special groups of mounted tribesmen rehearsed their rousing welcoming ceremonies.

President Pompidou, who arrived in Niger on Monday (24 January), was also scheduled to visit neighbouring Chad. The tour is part of the French President's plan to visit as many of France's former black African territories as possible before his current mandate expires in 1976. The French leader visited five West African countries last year, and hopes to tour others later this year and in 1973.