1.
GV PAN Down receiving equipment
0.05

2.
SV Pres. Bongo arrives
0.13

3.
SV Traditional tribal dancers
0.18

4.
SV Director-General P.T.T. speaking
0.22

5.
SV President Bongo applauding
0.27

6.
SV President cutting tape to open station
0.32

7.
LV Helicopter PAN to satellite stations
0.43



Initials ES. 1802 ES. 1820



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: President Albert Bernard Bongo of Gabon on Monday (2 July) inaugurated a satellite ground station near Libreville by holding a telephone conversation with French President Georges Pompidou in Paris.

The station, situated about 16 miles (20 kilometres) south east of Libreville, was built with the aid of a French loan. It will be used not only for telecommunications, but also for transmitting and receiving television pictures.

The French television O.R.T.F. broadcast a special programme from Paris to Gabon to mark the opening of the station.

Gabon's posts and telecommunications authority have issued a special stamp to commemorate the inauguration of the satellite station.

SYNOPSIS: On Monday in Gabon a new satellite ground station was inaugurated by President Albert Bongo, in a telephone conversation with French President Pompidou in Paris.

Traditional tribal dancers were on hand to greet the President.

The Director-General of the Gabonese post and telecommunications agency addressed the gathering.

The station which can be used for broadcasting television pictures as well as telephone communications, was built with the help of a loan from the French Government.

The French television service, ORTF, broadcast a special programme direct from Paris to Gabon to make the opening of the new ground station.