1.
GV & CU World Peace Council meeting building
0.06

2.
SCU Krishna Menon speaking to other delegates
0.18

3.
SCU Mr. Romesh Chandra opening meeting
0.50


SOUND IN: "We open now...."



SOUND OUT: "meeting than now."


4.
SCU Chandra and other delegates listen
0.58

5.
SCU & GV Sayad Marei speaking in Arabic (2 shots)
1.09


CHANDRA: "We open now this special session of the Presidential Group of the World Peace Council devoted to the situation in the Middle East. No time could have been more appropriate for this meeting than now."




Initials ES. 1710 ES. 1735



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In the wake of President Sadat's so-called 'War Budget', the World Peace Council began its first 1973 session in Cairo on Tuesday (13 February) with a plea to sort out the Middle East crisis 'at all costs'.

The meeting of the world body was opened by Mr. Romesh Chandra, the Secretary-General. He said that with the Vietnam War over, ever effort should be made to bring peace to the Middle East as a matter of urgency. Former Indian Defence Minister and internationally-known peace leader Krishna Menon addressed the meeting later in the day.

The World Peace Council's prime aim is to settle differences between nations by negotiation and agreement. The meeting lasts for two days.

SYNOPSIS: The first 1973 meeting of the World Peace Council opened in Cairo on Tuesday. Among delegates - internationally-known peace leader Krishna Menon. The Secretary-General of the world body, Mr. Romesh Chandra, opened the meeting and said that its timing could not be better.

Mr. Chandra said that it was nor possible -- with the Vietnam war over -- really concentrate on the Middle East situation.

In reply, the Secretary-General of the Arab Socialist Party, Mr. Sayad Marei, told the meeting that Mr. Chandra reflected his own hopes for Middle East peace.