1.
SV TILT DOWN Gretchko down aircraft steps and greeted by M. Debre
0.17

2.
SV Guard of honour on tarmac
0.21

3.
SCU PAN Gretchko salutes guard of honour
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4.
GV Arc de Triomphe
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5.
SV Gretchko lays wreath at tomb of unknown warrior
0.53

6.
SCU Cretchko saluting
0.58

7.
CU Wreath
1.00

8.
LV Gretchko and party leaving Arc de Triomphe
1.07



Initials BB/0200 RW/BOB/BB/0141



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Soviet Defence Minister, Marshal Andre Gretchko, arrived in Paris on Monday (November 27) at the start of a week-long official visit to France. He was met at the airport with full military honours, and on Tuesday (November 28) laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at the Arc de Triomphe. During his visit Marshal Gretchko was due to have talks with President Pompidou and tour military installations. It's his first visit to a member of the Atlantic alliance since he became Soviet Defence Minister in 1967.

SYNOPSIS: Soviet Defence Minister Marshal Andre Grtchko arrived in Paris on Monday at the start of a week-long visit to France. During his stay Marshal Gretchko was to have talks with President Georges Pompidou and visit military installations in various parts of the country.

It's the Marshal's first visit to a member of the Atlantic alliance since he became Soviet Defence Minister in April 1967. He was greeted at Le Bourget Airport with full military honours.

Accompanied by his French counterpart, Defence Minister Michel Debre, Marshal Gretchko went to the Arc de Triomphe on Tuesday where he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. From here the two men were to hold a round of talks almost immediately.

After another full day of discussions as well, Marshal Gretchko was to see France's latest military aircraft and the Naval base at Toulon. He was expected to meet President Pompidou at the end of his visit.