1.
SV ELYSEE PALACE
0.04

2.
MV TSIRANANA SHAKES HANDS WITH POMPIDOU ON LEAVING PALACE
0.17

3.
CU CAMERAMAN
0.19

4.
CU TSIRANANA SPEAKS IN FRENCH (SOF)
1.37

5.
CU GUARD
1.40

6.
CU TSIRANANA EMBRACES BONGO, ENTERS CAR
2.16



Initials RE/V/CT/PC



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: VISITING AFRICAN HEAD-OF-STATE PRESIDENT PHILIBERT TSIRANANA OF THE MALAGASY REPUBLIC, TODAY (TUESDAY) MET PRESIDENT POMPIDOU AT THE ELYSEE PALACE FOR TALKS FOLLOWED BY A LUNCHEON. JOINING THE TWO LEADERS AT THE LUNCHEON WAS PRESIDENT ALBERT BERNARD BONGO OF GABON.

PRESIDENT TSIRANANA HAD A 45-MINUTE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH PRESIDENT POMPIDOU. THIS INVOLVED RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES AND AFRICAN PROBLEMS IN GENERAL.

THE AFRICAN LEADER'S VISIT TO THE PALACE FOLLOWED A PRIVATE VISIT TO THE SOUTH OF FRANCE.

ALSO AT THE LUNCHEON WAS PRESIDENT BONGO WHO EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH THE FRENCH PRESIDENT THE DAY BEFORE.

OTHERS TO ATTEND WERE THE FRENCH EDUCATION MINISTER OLIVIER GUICHARD AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, M. YVON BOURGES, WHO IS SPECIALLY CONCERNED WITH AFRICAN QUESTIONS.

BOTH AFRICAN LEADERS WERE MET ON ARRIVAL AT THE ELYSEE BY M. JACQUES FOCCART, THE SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR AFRICAN AND MALAGASY AFFAIRS, WHO HAS PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN SHAPING FRANCE'S POLICY TOWARDS AFRICA DURING THE PAST DECADE.

IN HIS MEETING WITH PRESS, THE MALAGASY PRESIDENT FOREWAW A CONTINUATION OF DE GAULLE'S POLICIES BY POMPIDOU IN DEALINGS WITH AFRICAN STATES. THESE HAD BEEN SYMPATHETIC AND VERY HELPFUL. THE PRESIDENT AVOIDED A DIRECT ANSWER TO A QUESTION ON BIAFRA IN THE PRESENCE OF PRESIDENT BONGO WHO HAS OPENLY SIDED WITH THE BREAKAWAY PROVINCE OF NIGERIA.