1.
GV & SVs Saudi Arabian recruits marching (5 shots)
0.27

2.
CU Instructor giving orders
0.30

3.
GV Recruits drilling
0.38

4.
SV Air Force personnel working with recruits
0.46

5.
CU Air Force officer speaking
1.02

6.
SVs Recruits drilling (3 shots)
1.09


TRANSCRIPTS



SEQ. 5: OFFICER: "Everything's rather run surprisingly well. We anticipated having a few problems as you would with any new programme, but we have had even less than normal. They are well disciplined .. the process has been running very smoothly .. no problems at all."



BOYLE: "These young Saudi recruits are a highly visible sign that our government regards their country as a friend and a moderating influence in the Arab world. The oil rich Saudi Arabian Government also happens to be one of the biggest purchasers of U.S. military weapons, and it's paying the U.S. between ninety and one hundred million dollars to train these recruits. The Saudis will also learn english, science and basic mathematics along with technical training in some thirty-five different job specialties. Like their American counterparts, the Saudi recruits began their military career spending a great deal of time standing and waiting. Air Force personnel working with the new recruits are very pleased with them."



"The Saudis are proud and modest people. Because of this the Air Force expects them to have a low drop out rate and few personal problems."




Initials CL/1816 1510/1545/1825


EDITOR'S NOTE: This film is services with an English commentary throughout by NBC reporter, Jim Boyle. It is also serviced with part of an interview with a U.S. Air Force officer.

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: For the first time in its history the United States' Air Force is providing basic training for foreign military personnel.

The recipients of the training are Saudi Arabian Royal Air Force recruits. The first wave of the 1300 recruits that will be trained over the next six years, arrived at the Lackland Air Base in San Antonio, Texas on Thursday (9 October).

Their induction as routine, and within hours they were on the parade ground drilling.

The recruits will be taught English, science and basic mathematics as well as receiving specialised technical training in some 35 different fields.

A number of reasons obviously lie behind the American decision to train the men.

The U.S. regards Saudi Arabia as a friendly country and a moderate influence in the Arab world, and it's no coincidence that the oil rich country is one of the biggest purchasers of U.S. military weapons.

The training programme is very expensive. It's to cost the Saudi government between 90 and 100 million dollars (U.S.).