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LV Interior delegates form Ivory Coast and Morocco sit at table.
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2.
CU PAN from Moroccan delegate Mekouar to other Moroccans
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3.
SV Delegates seated.
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4.
CU Portrait President Houphouet Boigny.
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5.
CU M Zaman signs document for Ivory Coast PAN TO Mekouar watching (2 shots)
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LV Delegates watching.
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7.
CU Mekouar signing
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8.
SV End of signing as other delegates applaud (2 shots).
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9.
SV Mekouar and zaman shake hands.
1.03



Initials APSM/1525 APSM/1540



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Morocco and the Ivory Coast will be directly linked by air, following an agreement signed in Abidjan on Thursday (4th October). The agreement means that the Royal Moroccan Airline will service the Ivory Coast, and Air Africa will fly to Casablanca.

The terms of the agreement were not made public. It was one of five co-operation agreements made by the Heads of State of the two countries - King Hassan of Morocco, and President Houphouet Boigny of the Ivory Coast - during a visit by the Ivory Coast leader to Morocco in late September.

The agreement was signed for Morocco by Mr. Mohamed Mekouar, the Director of Air Transport, and M Jean Zaman, the Ivory Coast's Director of Civil Aviation.

SYNOPSIS: Morocco and the Ivory Coast will be directly linked by air, following an agreement signed by both countries in Abidjan on Thursday. Delegates from the two African nations spent two days putting the finishing touches on the agreement.

The agreement was one of five settled in principle during a visit by Ivory Coast President Houphouet Boigny to Morocco in late September. M Jean Zaman Director of Civil Aviation, signed for the Ivory Coast. Mr Hohamed Makouar, the Moroccan Director of Air Transport, signed for his country.

The agreement means that the Moroccan Airline will now service the Ivory Coast. It already flies to Las Palmas and Senegal form Rabat. On the other hand, Air Africa, of which the Ivory Coast is a member, will fly regular services to casablanca. Fourteen other airlines serve the Ivory Coast.