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GV PAN Yugoslav Federal Assembly with President Cvijetin Mijatovic speaking in Serbo-Croat.
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GV Soldiers at tomb and Tito's wife laying wreath. (5 SHOTS)
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SV Government officials laying wreaths.
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SV PAN Onlookers at ceremony and tomb.
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EUROVISION TELERECORDING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: INTRODUCTION: Twelve months after the death of Yugoslavia's first President, Josip Broz Tito, his memory is still as strong as ever. The entire country observed one minute's silence for the man who built one nation from several nationalities. Ceremonies were held in all centres, and officials from all over the country came for a commemoration ceremony in the capital, Belgrade on Monday (4 May).

SYNOPSIS: In the Yugoslavian National Assembly President Cvijetin Mijatovic honoured the memory of President Tito. He said that in all decisions taken today by the government, the thought and work of the late leader is in evidence.

Despite difficulties facing the collective leadership replacing Tito's towering authority, President Mijatovic said Tito's route of over 35 years should be followed calmy but resolutely.

The late President's widow and his two sons were present at the ceremony and afterwards laid a wreath at his tomb.

The outgoing President Mijatovic, who will be replaced later this month by a leader from the state of Slovenia, affirmed that Yugoslavia would continue its system of self-government for its six republics and two autonomous provinces. And he said Yugoslavia will pursue its course in the non-aligned movement, created by Tito along with the late Presidents Nehru of India and Nasser of Egypt. But he warned of attempts to weaken Tito's Yugoslavia.

But with the father-figure gone, his successors have had to grapple with serious economic troubles, an inflation rate of 40 percent, and ethnic riots last month in historically rebellious Kosonov.

During the day an estimated 20,000 people passed by Tito's tomb. Monday's newspapers and television were almost exclusively devoted to his life from the time of his victorious leadership of the Communist resistance during World War Two.