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GV Hotel Ivoire, Abidjan
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SV Chairman Mr. Grah Kadji speaking (FRENCH SOF) CUTAWAYS of delegates from Mauritania (Secretary) Sheikh Fal(Central African Republic), Senegal, Algeria, Chad. Cameroun (empty seat), Gabon, Upper Volta, Central African Republic, Dahomey and Congo Brazzaville.
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The committee of transport ministers of the Air Afrique countries have been meeting in a series of closed sessions in Abidjan. Ivorian Minister of Public Works and Transport, M. Grah Kadji, opened the proceedings on Thursday as acting chairman of the committee.

The main problem facing the countries operating the multinational airline is the decision announced by Cameroun in January to pull out of Air Afrique and set up its own airline. Cameroun President Ahmadou confirmed in March that the decision was irrevocable. The Cameroun Transport Minister was invited to attend the conference but declined to do so.

Yesterday (Saturday) it was announced that the ministers of the eleven remaining Air Afrique countries had agreed to continue the airline, and to draw up a balance sheet to determine Cameroun's rights and obligations when the withdrawal decision takes effect.

When the company was set up in 1961, the eleven member nations (Togo joined in 1965) each owned six per cent of the capital, with the French Sodetraf company holding 24 per cent.

The following represented their respective countries:- Gabon: M. Onto Bonjean; Upper Volta: M. Francois Lompo; Dahomey: M. Lozes; Congo-Brazzaville: M. Tambatamba; Central African Republic: M. Pouninguiza; Chad: M. Sadit Aziz; Senegal: M. Diallo Samba; Niger: M. Dandobi Mahamane; Mauretania: M. Diaramouna Soumare.