1.
GV EXT. Conference Building.
0.05

2.
SV INT Delegates seated and being presented with agreement to sign.
0.08

3.
SV Photographers and newsmen.
0.10

4.
SV Denmark signs.
0.13

5.
SV Spain signs.
0.16

6.
SV U.S.A. signs.
0.19

7.
SV Greece signs.
0.22

8.
SV Ireland signs.
0.26

9.
SV Iceland signs.
0.29

10.
SV Italy signs.
0.32

11.
SV & CU Japan signs.
0.38

12.
SV Holland signs.
0.42

13.
SV New Zealand signs.
0.45

14.
SV Portugal signs. (2 shots)
0.50

15.
SV & CU U.K. sings.
0.56

16.
CU Secretary-General seated.
0.59

17.
SV President of meeting signs.
1.03

18.
SV Delegates seated.
1.05



Initials VS 18.45 VS 18.50



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The major non-Communist industrial nations, in an attempt to present a united front on questions of energy-related economic problems, signed an agreement on Wednesday (9 April) providing for a 25,000-million-dollar (about 10,000-million-sterling) "safety net" fund as a last resort for those among them suffering serious economic distress.

The agreement -- inspired by U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and signed by 23 states -- grew out of the oil crisis of the past 18 months.

It was signed by representatives from all but one of the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development's (O.E.C.D.) member states.

Turkey, the 24th O.E.C.D. member, is expected to sign the pact before the end of May.

A leading economist, Stephen Harris of the O.E.C.D., said the fund was designed not only to help countries tackle oil-induced balance-of-payments deficits, but also to tide them over other serious economic difficulties.