1.
GV Motorcade down street, Presidents Jawara & Stevens in car waving
0.13

2.
SVs Crowd dancing
0.16

3.
SCU & SV Both at attention (2 shots)
0.22

4.
GV Guard slow march in front of Presidents, guard inspected
0.37

5.
CU Mrs Stevens
0.38

6.
CU Jawara
0.42

7.
CU Stevens
0.43

8.
SV Both wives
0.46

9.
SV Jawara meets Cabinet members
0.56

10.
GV Crowd
1.00

11.
GV Both in motorcade
1.09

12.
GV Both out of car & greeted by Mayor (3 shots)
1.23

13.
CU Lady Jawara
1.25

14.
SCU Premier Korama
1.28

15.
SCU Stevens
1.31

16.
SV Jawara gets medal as crowd looks on (4 shots)
1.42



Initials SGM/1847 SGM/1812


This film was taken in January when Sir Dawda was in better health and was welcomed on an official visit to Sierra Leone by President Siaka Stevens.

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The President of Gambia, Sir. Dawda Jawara, is convalescing in London, after a serious operation for the removal of a blood clot in his head. It has just been announced that he underwent surgery in a London Hospital towards the end of May. The President apparently suffered a head injury during a fall some time ago.

A number of heads of state from Africa and other parts of the world have sent messages of good wishes for his recovery.

The Gambian High Commissioner in London, Mr. Bocar Semaga-Janneh, said the President had made a remarkable recovery. It is hoped he will be able to travel back to Gambia in a few weeks.

SYNOPSIS: The President of Gambia, Sir. Dawda Jawara, seen here on a recent visit to Sierra Leone, has recently had a serious operation in London for the removal of a blood clot.

His arrival with Lady Jawara in London towards the end of May was not publicly announced. He underwent surgery just over two weeks ago. The Gambian High Commissioner in London, Mr. Bocar Semega-Janneh, said the President had made a remarkable recovery from the operation.

Sierra Leone president Siaka Stevens was among the heads of state from Africa and other parts of the world who have sent messages of good wishes since the news of the operation. In London, President Jawara has been visited by Lady Tweedsmuir, the Minister of State who specializes in African affairs at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Although it will be some time before the President is able to undertake foreign visits again, like the Sierra Leone trip, he is already taking long walks and attended the celebrations in London on June 2nd to mark the Queen's birthday and the 20th anniversary of her Coronation.

It is hoped that he will be able to take up his duties in a few weeks time, but the exact timing will depend on the advice of medical specialists. The President injured his head in a fall some time ago, and the blood clot was detected by X-rays.