1.
LV ATHENS CATHEDRAL
0.04

2.
LV ROYAL ARRIVING BY CAR
0.08

3.
SV SERVICEMEN HOLDING FLAGS
0.11

4.
SV ARCHBISHOP OF ATHENS
0.14

5.
SCU PAN KING CONSTANTINE
0.16

6.
SV QUEEN ANNE MARIE
0.19

7.
LV ROYALS
0.23

8.
SV GUARD OF HONOUR
0.25

9.
LV KING KISSES ARCHBISHOP AND THEN QUEEN KISSES ARCHBISHOP
0.28

10.
SV CROWD WAVING
0.32

11.
LV KING CONSTANTINE ON HORSEBACK LEADING THE PARADE AFTER LEAVING ATHENS CATHEDRAL
0.33

12.
LV SOLDIER IN PROCESSION WALKING ON WOODEN STUMPS
0.38

13.
GV'S JEEPS IN PROCESSION (2 SHOTS)
0.46

14.
GV'S TANKS IN PROCESSION (2 SHOTS)
0.58

15.
GV'S HEAVY VEHICLES PULLING FIELD GUNS (2 SHOTS)
1.13

16.
SV PAN & REAR V..MISSILES IN PARADE (2 SHOTS)
1.20



Initials DS/S/MGT/EEH



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: CELEBRATIONS MARKING GREEK INDEPENDENCE WERE STAGED TODAY (THURSDAY) THROUGHOUT GREECE. THERE WERE CHURCH SERVICES AND PARADES MANY TOWNS AND CITIES, BUT THE FOCAL POINT OF THE FESTIVITIES WAS IN ATHENS.

THE CELEBRATION OPENED WITH A TE DEUM IN ATHENS CATHEDRAL, ATTENDED BY THE GREEK ROYAL FAMILY, MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT, THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS AND LEADING CITIZENS. AFTERWARDS THE KING PARTED BRIEFLY FROM HIS YOUNG WIFE, WHO IS EXPECTING CHILD, TO MOUNT A WHITE CHARGER AND TAKE THE SALUTE AT A MARCH PAST OF GREECE'S ARMED SERVICES.

TODAY'S FESTIVITIES MARKED THE 143RD ANNIVERSARY OF GREEK LIBERATION FROM THE YOKE OF OTTOMAN DOMINATION. IN THE EARLY PART OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE GREEK PEOPLE CARRIED ON A LONG AND BITTER STRUGGLE TO FREE THEMSELVES FROM TURKISH RULE - CONFLICT WHICH FIRED THE IMAGINATION OF THE ENGLISH POET LORD BYRON.

TAKING PART IN THE PARADE WERE INFANTRY UNITS, MECHANISED CAVALRY, LIGHT AND HEAVY ARTILLERY AND MISSILE SQUADRONS EQUIPPED WITH THE NIKE ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILE AND THE HONEST JOHN TACTICAL ARTILLERY ROCKET.