PALACE; ADMIRAL EVENOU INSPECTS GUARD OF HONOUR; ADMIRAL MEETS GENERAL RAMANANTSOA; ADMIRAL AND PRESIDENT SHAKE HANDS; ADMIRAL LEAVES PALACE.




Initials JH/VS/CT/OS



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: ADMIRAL EVENOU OF FRANCE MET PRESIDENT TSIRANANA OF THE MALAGASY REPUBLIC IN TANANARIVE LAST MONDAY (5 MAY). THE ADMIRAL IS IN MADAGASCAR FOR TALKS ON MILITARY AND DEFENCE MATTERS.

ADMIRAL EVENOU WAS GREETED AT THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE BY DIVISIONAL GENERAL GABRIEL RAMANANTSOA AND THE TWO MEN DISCUSSED MILITARY ISSUES.

LATER, ADMIRAL EVENOU MET PRESIDENT TSIRANANA. THE ADMIRAL REVIEWED THE SITUATION OF THE FRENCH NAVY IN THE INDIAN OCEAN REPORTEDLY TO BE REINFORCED THIS YEAR WITH THE ADDITION OF TWO MORE PATROL BOATS. THE MEN ALSO DISCUSSED THE FUTURE OF THE DIEGO-SUAREZ ARSENAL, A FRENCH BASE WHICH ADMIRAL EVENOU ESTABLISHED WHEN HE SERVED IN MADAGASCAR FROM 1943 TO 1946.

THE BASE IS ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT TO THE MALAGASY REPUBLIC. THE MEN ALSO DISCUSSED FRENCH TECHNICAL MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO THE REPUBLIC.

ADMIRAL EVENOU, WHO IS TO REACH RETIREMENT AGE IN THREE YEARS' TIME, IS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL ORDER OF MADAGASCAR AND HOLDS SEVERAL FRENCH DECORATIONS.