1.
GV MINERS MEETING AT MERLEBACH
0.03

2.
STV DITTO
0.06

3.
STV MINERS APPLAUD
0.08

4.
CU SPEAKER
0.11

5.
STV MINERS APPLAUD
0.13

6.
SCU TRICOLOUR
0.16

7.
SCU PLACARD "PAIN ET LIBERTE"
0.17

8.
SCU A FISH & A BONE HANG FROM PLACARD
0.21

9.
SV WOMAN ADDRESSES MEETING
0.22

10.
CU YOUNG CHILD APPLAUDS
0.27

11.
CU PLACARD "AVEC NOS HOMMES POUR LE MEILLEUR ET POUR PIRE"
0.29

12.
TV CROWD
0.32

13.
SV ELYSEE PALACE
0.35

14.
AV FLAG
0.38

15.
LV WOMEN'S COACHES
0.40

16.
SV POSTER ON COACH "FEMMES DE MERLEBACH"
0.46

17.
SV WOMEN INTO ELYSEE
0.47

18.
LV OTHER WOMEN WAIT
0.49

19.
LV PRESSMEN OUTSIDE
0.51

20.
SLV WOMEN COME OUT
0.54

21.
SCUS (8 SHOTS) PRESSMEN AROUND WOMEN
1.06

22.
SV PAN WOMEN WALK PAST CAMERA
1.18



Initials DR/S/MR/EEH DR/S/MR/SGM



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THERE WAS LITTLE CHANGE ON THURSDAY IN THE FRENCH COALFIELDS WHERE NEARLY A QUARTER OF A MILLION MINERS HAVE BEEN ON STRIKE SINCE MARCH 1, IN SUPPORT OF PAY , HOURS AND HOLIDAY CLAIMS.

AT MERLEBACH IN EASTERN FRANCE ON WEDNESDAY, THE MINERS FROM SURROUNDING COALFIELDS HELD A MASS MEETING TO REAFFIRM THEIR SUPPORT OF THE STRIKE.AT THE MEETING IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT A DEPUTATION OF MINERS' WIVES HAD SENT A TELEGRAM TO PRESIDENT DE GAULLE ASKING HIM TO RECEIVE THEM THE FOLLOWING DAY.

ON THURSDAY, THE DEPUTATION ARRIVED AT THE ELYSEE PALACE IN PARIS.HOWEVER THE WOMEN, WHO HAD COME TO PUT THE MINERS' CASE DIRECTLY TO THE PRESIDENT, WERE ONLY ALLOWED AS FAR AS THE GATES.

WHEN THEY ASKED TO SEE THE PRESIDENT THEY WERE TOLD IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE.THEY LEFT A PETITION BEFORE SETTING OFF BY COACH TO THE HOTEL MATIGNON, OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF M.GEORGES POMPIDOU, THE PRIME MINISTER.THE PETITION CALLED ON THE PRESIDENT TO GIVE A FAVOURABLE HEARING TO THE MINERS' CLAIMS SO THAT THE FOUR WEEK OLD STRIKE COULD END.