1.
LV AND SV: dancers and drummers outside Judicial Palace. (3 shots)
0.15

2.
SV PAN: President Ahidjo arrives and waves to crowd.
0.21

3.
SV: President shakes hands with (left to right) Justice Minister, High Court President and Attorney-General before entering Palace. (2 shots)
0.29

4.
LV INTERIOR AND CU: members of Judicial Council arrive PAN TO audience. (3 shots)
0.47

5.
CU: President Ahidjo
0.50

6.
SV: Justice Minister speaking in French.
0.54

7.
LV AND SV: line of new Magistrates being sworn with Judicial Council and President watching. (3 shots)
1.10

8.
CU: Attorney-General President and High Court President. (3 shots)
1.19

9.
GV: drummers and dancers outside palace as officials leave.
1.25



Initials RH/CG/MR/1713



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Cameroun's Chief of State, Ahmadou Ahidjo, presided over the annual re-opening of his country's Supreme Court recently. During the course of the ceremony new magistrates were admitted and 13 judges took the oath of allegiance.

SYNOPSIS: Traditional festivities outside the Camerouns' Judicial Palace marked the re-opening ceremony. And to make it official, President Ahidjo was on hand to declare the 1976/1977 session open. After the inauguration ceremony, brief speeches were given by M. Joseph Doumba, Minister of Justice, Marcel Naguinin, President of the Supreme Court and Francois Mbouyom, Attorney-General. All three commanded the President for attending the occasion. They said it demonstrated the growing importance of the judicial system in Cameroun.

M. Mbouyom spoke of the complexity of the judicial decision making process in. He pointed out that although new laws and texts are being introduced each year to improve the system, changing the legal system took time. In a brief statement the Justice Minister noted that the government had helped to create the judicial structures necessary for the development of the nation. During the ceremony 13 new judges took their oaths in the presence of the Judicial Council and the President.

M. Nguini had earlier commented on the statue of the judges. He added that although recruitment was difficult, the flexibility of the position was increasing.

After a thorough examination of the problems, several new proposals were put forth to improve the system of administration. In conclusion it was agreed the Supreme Court must remain the most powerful organ within Camerouns' judicial system.