1.
SV PAN FROM: election posters TO Bogota street scene.
0.13

2.
SV PAN: woman with donkeys PAN TO female street cleaner.
0.25

3.
SV AND CU: people buying newspapers from stand. (2 shots)
0.42

4.
SV: defaced election posters.
0.54

5.
LV AND SV: Turbay election banner outside meeting hall. (2 shots)
1.00

6.
SV: people clearing away rubbish from streets. (2 shots)
1.11

7.
SV PAN AND LV INT: audience seated listening as Senor Julio Cesar Turbay Ayala speaks. (2 shots)
1.25

8.
CU: Ayala speaking in Spanish
2.01


Senor Turbay's chances of becoming Colombia's next President improved on Tuesday (28 February) when he obtained the backing one of the country's most respected statesman. Former President Alberto Lleras Camargo, who still enjoys great prestige among Liberals, said he had come out of retirement to back Senor Turbay, and he called on all Liberals to support him. The present President, Lopez Michelsen also a Liberal, has to stand down under the rules of the Constitution.




Initials RH/1855



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Following an impressive victory in Colombia's parliamentary elections the Liberal nominee, Senor Julio Cesar Turbay Ayala, appears to be headed for a win in the country's Presidential stakes. With more than 70 per cent of the general election vote counted, Senor Turbay's supporters had piled up an almost insurmountable lead against followers of his rival in the split ruling Liberal Party, Dr Carlos Lleras.

SYNOPSIS: There had been a big build-up to the elections, and polling on Sunday (26 February) had been held in a carnival atmosphere. The following day in the capital of Bogota, people found plenty of debris to remind them of the election revelry. But, although many had turned out for the street parties, less than 30 per cent of eligible voters went to the polls.

Colombia's 12.3 million voters have been almost as apathetic in previous elections, with 65 per cent abstaining in the 1974 elections. Some were happy to wait for the newspapers to learn the results of the latest voting.

Surveys in Colombia had shown that most of the electorate had no intention of voting, their apathy stemming from a 21-year-old power sharing agreement between the Liberals, and the other major party, the Conservatives.

But the agreement between the parties has now ended, and the Liberals, having increased their large majority, seem assured of getting their presidential nominee into power. At a post-election meeting Senor Turbay thanked his supporters.

Senor Turbay said the Liberals could not have been victorious without the support of the people of Bogota. As he won more support than his rival, Dr Lleras, he automatically became his party's presidential nominee. A former senator for Bogota, and a former Foreign Minister, Senor Turbay promised to curb inflation, create more jobs, and reduce crime if elected. Observers believe he is almost certain to win the presidential elections in June following the Liberal Party's general election victory.