1.
SV: farmer ploughing with horse drawn plough in Southern Lebanon.
0.24

2.
GVS: Falangists soldiers on tractor getting off and shaking hands with farmers. (2 shots)
0.38

3.
SV ZOOM OUT FROM: tractor TO GV border fence with Israel.
0.45

4.
SVS: soldiers transferring fertiliser to tractor hopper (2 shots)
0.54

5.
CU: barbed wire ZOOM CUT tractor spreading fertiliser as Israeli instructors look on.
1.15



Initials RH/JR/AW/1706



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The continuing accord between Lebanese and Israelis living near their common border is increasing.

SYNOPSIS: On Wednesday, (17 November) Israeli experts took part in an exercise to help modernise Lebanese farming methods. The experiment is taking place on a two-and-a-half acre (about on hectare) plot of Lebanese soil on the border with Israel near the point known as the 'Good Fence First Aid Station'.

Now that the cease-fire supervised by the Arab League peacekeeping force is taking hold in Lebanon, Lebanese Falangist soldiers can be seen helping Moslem and Christian Lebanese farmers in demonstrations, under Israeli instruction, of mechanised methods of ploughing, fertilising and sowing wheat.

Co-operation across the border has been growing for some time - even before the ceasefire went into effect. Food, produce, and labour, as well as medical services are part of the two-way traffic. After this phase of the experiment, Lebanese farmers told the Israelis they hoped they could harvest together as well.