1.
GV Socialist Congress delegates at head or conference room in Valetta
0.03

2.
SV Members listening through earphones
0.06

3.
GV AND SV Abu Sayyed (P.L.O representative) speaking in Arabic
0.46

4.
SV Members taking notes
0.50

5.
SV Joe Grima (Malta) speaks in English
1.10


TRANSCRIPT: SEQ. 5: JOE GRIMA: "The national independence of our peoples, of the peoples of the Mediterranean, should be realised through political, economic, and cultural co-operation free from any kind of interference by foreign powers or their agents."




Initials OS



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Malta has re-affirmed its aim for national independence through co-operation with its Mediterranean neighbours. This message was made clear at the end of Conference of Mediterranean Socialist Parties and Organisations in Malta on Saturday (25 June) but so far there's been no formal agreement.

SYNOPSIS: An agreement is expected between Malta, France, Italy, the Libyan Jamahiriyah (formerly Libya) and Algeria.

The Palestine Liberation Organisation representative, and member of the permanent secretariat, Abu Sayyed, read the final declaration.

Malta's Prime Minister, Mr Dom Mintoff, has said his country's economic future is assured when the British leave. Mr Mintoff says Malta must be certain it will not be attacked and to achieve this it needs a guarantor. The final declaration was also read in English by the Maltese member of the permanent secretariat, Mr Joe Grima.