1.
GTV Tananarive
0.02

2.
GTV Market place
0.10

3.
SV People walking through market
0.14

4.
GVS Churches (2 shots)
0.19

5.
STV AND PAN Children going to school
0.27

6.
GTV Children in playground
0.34

7.
SV Children in playground with soldiers (2 shots)
0.40

8.
GV TRACKING Soldiers past in jeep
0.43

9.
GV PAN Man walking past with bundle of rice
0.51

10.
LV PAN Group carrying bundles through rice field
1.02

11.
GV Same group carrying bundles
1.05

12.
SV Man stacking bundles
1.10

13.
GV Men hauling bundles through water
1.23



Initials CL/2125 CL/2139



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Life is beginning to return to normal in the Malagasy Republic following several days of violence after the assassination of the country's newly-appointed head-off-state, lieutenant-Colonel Richard Ratsimandrava over two weeks ago.

The Malagasy capital,, Tananarive, was the centre of fighting between army and dissident police forces held responsible for Colonel Ratsimandrava's death. A dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed by the ruling Military Directorate following the street violence and troops began regular patrols throughout the capital.

Two weeks after the clashes ended, though, much of the tension has disappeared and Tananarive inhabitants are getting back to their usual ways of life. There are differences still ... the opening hours of the outdoor markets are restricted, and most public buildings, cinemas, sports areas and games halls remain closed.

On Wednesday (26 February), schools in the capital were re-opened for the first time since the violence erupted. Soldiers guard school areas and security is strong in all public places. The curfew remains in operation and military patrols are still in evidence throughout Tananarive.

In the countryside around the capital, little has changed. February's violence was centred in Tananarive itself, and farmers found that their work and life was virtually unaffected either by Colonel Ratsimandrava's death or its bloody aftermath.