1.
MV MASSEMBRA-DEBAT AND OTHERS DOWN PLANE STEPS (MASSEMBA-DEBAT IN BLACK RAINCOAT,NO HAT)
0.20

2.
MV PRESIDENT & PARTY ACROSS TARMAC
0.36

3.
MV PRESIDENT INTO CAR
0.48



Initials GEM/VS/BHH/SGM



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: PRESIDENT MASSEMBA-DEBAT OF CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE LEFT TANANARIVE FOR HOME TODAY (THURSDAY) AFTER AN ARMY MUTINY IN HIS CAPITAL CITY. THE PRESIDENT ARRIVED YESTERDAY FOR A CONFERENCE OF FRENCH-SPEAKING AFRICAN STATES WHEN NEWS REACHED HIM THAT REBELLIOUS ELEMENTS OF THE ARMY HAD FORCED HIS GOVERNMENT TO TAKE REFUGE IN A SPORTS STADIUM NEAR BRAZZAVILLE.

PRESIDENT MASSEMBA-DEBAT LEFT AS PLANNED. THE SITUATION IN BRAZZAVILLE WAS CONFUSED, BUT IT WAS KNOWN THAT THE PRIME MINISTER, WITH HIS GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL BUREAU, HAD TAKEN REFUGE IN A STADIUM ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY. LOYAL CUBAN TROOPS RECRUITED FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL GUARD THREW A PROTECTIVE CORDON ROUND THE STADIUM AND ALSO PLACED A TIGHT GUARD ON THE NEARBY RADIO STATION.

AT THE AIRPORT THE PRESIDENT TOLD REPORTERS THAT THE TROUBLES OF YOUNG AFRICAN STATES WOULD NOT DIVERT THEM FROM LEADING THE CONTINENT TO WELL-BEING AND UNITY.