1.
GV EXT. Senate building
0.06

2.
SV Cars arriving
0.13

3.
SV Brazilian delegates out of car
0.19

4.
SV Dr. Arikpo out of car & enters
0.26

5.
SV Other delegates
0.30

6.
SV Dr. Arikpo speaking
0.37

7.
SV PAN Nigerian delegation
0.48

8.
SV Ghana ditto
0.56

9.
CV Dr. Arikpo
1.02

10.
SV Ivory Coast delegation
1.07

11.
SV Pressmen
1.09

12.
SV Brazilian delegates applaud
1.18

13.
SV Other delegates
1.25

14.
GV Conference in session
1.30



Initials SGM/2329 SGM/2322



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Representatives of the six-nation Cocoa Producers Alliance (CPA) began a crucial meeting in Lagos on Friday (10 september) to adopt a common on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) which is negotiating an international cocoa agreement.

The UNCTAD meeting is due to open in Geneva o Saturday 23 and CPA sources said on Friday that delegates would take a stand which "Would lend positive support to current efforts to secure an International agreement".

SYNOPSIS: In lagos on Friday, representatives of the six-nation cocoa Producers Alliance took part in the opening session of their crucial meeting to adopt a common stand in readiness for the forthcoming United Nations Conference on Trade and Development which is negotiating an international agreement.

Doctor Okoi Arikpo, Nigeria's Commissioner for External Affairs, was the principal speaker on Friday. He told delegates tat Nigeria was proud to be a member of the alliance which he described as "possibly the only important organised grouping of cocoa producers in the world".

Doctor Arikpo noted that its nine years of existence, the organisation had proved itself "a factor to be reckoned with in the cocoa world." The Commissioner, who opened the seven-day meeting -- the 17th since the Alliance was established nine years ago -- urged the every effort should be made to sustain the solidarity of the Alliance.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development which will discuss the new international cocoa agreement, is due to open in Geneva on September the 23rd, and the Cocoa Producers' Alliance in Lagos on Friday said they aimed to take a stand which would "lend positive support" to current efforts to secure the international agreement.