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GV Flags of China, Zambia and Tanzania at entrance to conference hall
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GV Conference hall
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SV PAN Tanzanian delegates arriving
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MV Chinese delegation arriving
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GV INT. Zambian delegates seated
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SV Tanzanian delegates at table
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MV delegates seated (4 shots)
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MV Chinese delegates applauding
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GV Zambian delegates applauding
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Initials ET/053 ET/1.18



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A meeting to discuss the operation of the Tanzam Railway, which will link Tanzania and Zambia, opened in the Zambian capital, Lusaka on Tuesday (6th August).

Speakers at the opening commented favourably on the progress made so far. The thousand-mile (1,600 kms) railway, is being financed by a loan from The People's Republic of China. Five thousand Chinese technicians are working on the scheme helped by a labour force of tens of thousands of Africans. The work is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Tanzanian, Zambian and Chinese officials are attending the conference, which is the sixth the three countries have held to discuss the railway. Zambia's Minister of Power, Transport and Works, Mr. Axon Soko described the talks as an important milestone in the railway. At past conferences, discussions were confined to planning and construction, but it was now possible to discuss concrete plans about the operation of the railway.

The Chinese Deputy Minister of Communication, who is leader of the 12-man Chinese delegation, Mr. Su Chieh, said the encouraging progress on the scheme was due to the good working relationship on the railway.

Tanzania's Minister of Communication and Works, Mr. Job Lusinde, told the conference that the railway will open up new areas of the two countries for economic development. It would enable the two countries to exploit their vast economic resources and would also mean closer ties between them and China.