1.
SV President Ngouabi speaking.
0.05

2.
SV National Assembly President and others listening PAN.
0.27

3.
CU President speaking.
0.34

4.
LV Soldiers and children listen.
0.35

5.
CU Pierre Nze of Bureau Politique listening.
0.38

6.
CU Ngoubai speaking.
0.43

7.
SCU Premier listening.
0.45

8.
CU AND LV Ngouabi speaking. (2 shots)
0.56



Initials VS 1.36 VS 1.44



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Congolese President Marien Ngouabi announced last Thursday (August 15) that he had averted a coup d'etat only four days earlier. The coup had apparently been timed to take palace on the eve of the 11th anniversary of the Congolese revolution.

News of the attempt came when President Ngouabi gave his August 15 anniversary message to the nation. He said that a former Congolese commander living in exile was trying to "increase the number of attempted coup d'etats in Brazzaville." The President added the coup should have taken place on August 12. He did not elaborate on how it was foiled.

The President was filmed during a speech to government leaders and a large crowd in Brazzaville. His anniversary message spoke of progress on the road towards liberation and decolonisation in the Congo. The nation was still far from its final objective, but the road was fully mapped out ahead.

SYNOPSIS: Congolese President Marien Ngouabi delivered a special message on the eleventh anniversary of the Congolese revolution last week -- and at the same time announced that he had averted a coup d'etat only four days earlier. The coup had apparently been timed for August the twelfth, the eve of the revolution anniversary. Government leaders were among the crowd listening to the anniversary speech.

President Ngouabi revealed that a former Congolese commander, now living in exile, had plotted to increase the number of coup d'etats in Brazzaville. But he did not elaborate on how the attempted coup was foiled. The President's anniversary message to the nation spoke of progress towards the goals of liberation and decolonisation. The people were still a long way from their objective, added the President, but at least the route was fully mapped out.