1. GV PAN Motorcade draws up and President Seyni Kountche steps out. 0.22
2. SV Crowd looks on. 0.24
3. GV & SCU Military band plays, as national flag is held, and President takes salute. (2 SHOTS) 0.26
4. GV PAN President inspects troops who stand to attention and salutes flag held by white-garbed standard-bearer. (2 SHOTS) 0.53
5. GV Crowd looks on, some in national dress. 0.58
6. SV PAN President announces decoration and then pins medal on white-garbed man standing in line; they shake hands. 1.10
7. GV PAN President gets into motorcar and is driven away. 1.22
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Background: NIAMEY, REPUBLIC OF NIGER

A strong government and the effective use of vast uranium resources has turned the Republic of Niger into one of the great success stories of West Africa. And when Niger's 5.7 million people celebrated the 23rd anniversary of the proclamation of the republic, on 18 December, they could justifiably have been pleased with their nation's achieved goals of self-sufficiency in food and an end to mass starvation. President Seyni Kountche attended the anniversary celebration in the republic's capital of Niamey, seven years after he came to power in an army coup. The military government's immediate task was to help the country recover from the disastrous drought in the Sahel region, which decimated livestock herds and led to widespread civil disorder. The economic recovery programme has been a successful one, for the former French colony. In 1979, Niger was the fifth largest uranium producer in the non-communist world and its livestock numbers now approach pre-drought levels. In 1890, the republic ceased to import basic foodstuffs, instead, producing its own.

Source: PATRICE MONGNET