1.
GV ELYSEE PALACE (2 SHOTS)
0.16

2.
CU POMPIDOU SPEAKS (SOF IN FRENCH)
1.29



Initials RJ/VS/PW/BB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: FRANCE'S PRESIDENT GEORGES POMPIDOU ADDRESSED THE NATION TODAY IN A FIRM AND OPTIMISTIC REVIEW OF HIS FIRST 6 MONTHS IN OFFICE. HIS SPEECH WAS A MIXTURE OF COMMENTS ON HOME AND EUROPEAN ISSUES AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.

MR. POMPIDOU SAID THAT FRANCE WOULD REJOICE IS BRITAIN SHOWED DETERMINATION TO TURN TOWARDS EUROPE IN COMMON MARKET TALKS NEXT YEAR. THE FRENCH LEADER SAID THAT THE RECENT SUMMIT CONFERENCE OF THE SIX MEMBER COMMON MARKET NATIONS PROVED THAT HIS COUNTRY HAD NO INTENTION OF KEEPING BRITAIN OUT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY.

THE 15 MINUTE SPEECH CONTAINED A NUMBER OF REFERENCES TO FOREIGN POLICY. MR. POMPIDOU SAID HE HOPED TO STRENGTHEN FRANCE'S STANDING WITH AMERICA AND THE U.S.S.R. DURING HIS VISIT TO WASHINGTON AND MOSCOW NEXT YEAR. HE ALSO SAID PARIS WOULD SOON RESTORE FULL TRADITIONAL RELATIONS WITH NORTH AFRICAN COUNTRIES AND DEVELOP CORDIAL RELATIONS WITH LIBYA.