WOMEN MARCH; WOMEN WITH PORTRAITS OF HO CHI MINH AND PRESIDENT KEITA; PROCESSION; MEN FOLLOW PROCESSION; WOMEN AT NORTH VIETNAMESE EMBASSY.




Initials GHB/VS/JF/ES



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Background: WOMEN OF MALI STAGED A MARCH THROUGH THE CAPITAL, BAMAKO, LAST FRIDAY (MARCH 8) IN SUPPORT OF NORTH VIETNAM.

THE OCCASION WAS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY AND THE MALI WOMEN TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR SUPPORT FOR THEIR SISTERS IN NORTH VIETNAM -- "ENGAGED IN THE FIGHT AGAINST IMPERIALISM."
THE PROCESSION, WHICH WAS HEADED BY THE WIFE OF THE PRESIDENT, MME. MODIBO KEITA, FORMED UP IN THE PLACE DE LA REPUBLIQUE AND MARCHED TO THE NORTH VIETNAMESE EMBASSY.

THE WHITE-ROBED WOMEN CARRIED PORTRAITS OF NORTH VIETNAMESE PRESIDENT HO CHI MINH AND OF PRESIDENT KEITA.

THE NORTH VIETNAMESE AMBASSADOR, M. NGUYEN NGOC, THANKED THE WOMEN FOR THEIR PLEDGE OF SUPPORT.