1.
GV & PAN Soyan, near the Wadi Hadramout
0.10

2.
SV ZOOM TO CU Merchandise being weighed and sold
0.21

3.
SV Street trading in market place
0.27

4.
SV Head of Stated in the Yemen, Ali Mohammad, speaking in Arabic, as crowd listens (3 shots)
0.43

5.
SV Workers in cotton factory in Aden (3 shots)
0.54

6.
SV Fishermen display various fish (2 shots)
1.17

8.
SV Man carrying fish
1.20

9.
SV Children in school (2 shots)
1.38




Initials BB





Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: INTRODUCTION: Until 1967, the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen was part of the British empire and was ruled by local chiefs. When Britain bowed out, two rival factions fought for power in a struggle that eventually was won by the National Liberation Front. The Front went on to create the only Arab state to become one of the few secure allies of the Soviet Union in the Middle East.

SYNOPSIS: This is Soyan near Wadi Hadramout, one of the most backward parts of the country -- where the government is concentrating its efforts.

People go about their daily lives much as their ancestors did. The market place is where goods are not just bought for a set price. Interested customers barter for what they want.

The country' leader Ali Nasser Mohammad came here to preach the message of harder work for economic progress. He said the government was concentrating on economic development and their second five-year plan called for increased production.

Much of the aid from South Yemen's Communist allies has been concentrated in the capital, Aden, and cotton is one of the major industries.

Badly-needed revenue for a country whose per capita annual income is under 250 dollars comes from coastal fishing. There are 15 cooperative fishing enterprises operating along a one thousand kilometre strip from Bab-El-Mandeb to the border with Oman. Plans are in hand to establish a modern fishing fleet, to increase production of the small, traditional craft.

Future progress is also dependent on education. There's been an increase in the number of schools since the early seventies. There are now about 1,200, giving 80-per cent of school age children a chance many of their parents never had.