(18 Apr 2002) VOICED BY LOUISE BATES
0000 Zaher Shah, Formet Afghan King, exiting plane
0010 Former king walking down red carpet King meeting with people - shaking their hands, hugging and kissing them
0023 Various of Afghans walking through the streets playing drums and carrying banners
0029 men dancing to drum beat
0034 Banners of the king
0038 Various of motorcade, carrying deposed Afghan King Mohammad Zaher Shah, driving through Kabul street, soldiers on street salute as it goes by
0048 Women in street wearing burkhas
0055 SOUNDBITE: (English) Voxpop, Civilian
"All of the people of Afghanistan are happy about his coming to Afghanistan because they hope that he is able to make solidarity between the people. And we are happy that he has come to Afghanistan."
0108 ISAF vehicle driving down street
0115 SOUNDBITE: (English) Mohammed Yousof Nornoristani, Government Spokesperson:
"He is very happy to be back in his own country and meet his own people, so he's very happy. He's very happy. He's a little bit tired because it's a long trip from Italy, but other than that he's very, very joyous, very excited. And from tomorrow on there will be meetings with different elders of different provinces, different tribes - so he will see people from tomorrow on."
0144 Former King's motorcade entering his new residence
0200 VISION ENDS
STORYLINE
Afghanistan's deposed King, Mohammad Zaher Shah made a historic return to his country on Thursday, ending his 29-year exile in Italy.
Many believe the monarch's return will help bring stability to Afghanistan in the wake of the US-led defeat of the Taliban regime and also to unify ethnic and tribal groups.
Zaher Shah was dethroned in 1973 by a cousin, Mohammed Daoud, while vacationing in Italy and has lived there ever since.
VOICE OVER:
0002
At Kabul's bombed-out airport, an honour guard saluted and spectators applauded as the former king stepped off the Italian military aircraft.
0010
Zaher Shah walked down a red carpet with Afghanistan's interim prime minister, Hamid Karzai and shook hands with tribal leaders , before boarding a black Mercedes-Benz to take him to his newly refurbished home.
0023
Meanwhile there was dancing in the streets of the city to celebrate Shah's return to Afghanistan after 29 years in exile.
0030
Dancers in white tunics and red sashes swirled to the beat of drums and a flute. Others carried photographs of the ex-king and Afghan flags.
0038
Thousands of joyous Afghans lined the streets saluting and cheering as his motorcade made its way though the Afghan capital to his heavily guarded residence.
0047
Many look back on the King's former rule with some nostalgia and hope his presence might help bring peace and stability to Afghanistan.
0055
SOUNDBITE: (English) Vox pop
"All of the people of Afghanistan are happy about his coming to Afghanistan because they hope that he is able to make solidarity between the people. "
0108
A government spokesperson said the 87-year-old former monarch was thrilled to be back on home soil.
0115
SOUNDBITE: (English) Mohammed Yousof Nornoristani, Government Spokesperson:
"He is very happy to be back in his own country and meet his own people, so he's very happy. He's very happy. He's a little bit tired because it's a long trip from Italy, but other than that he's very, very joyous, very excited. And from tomorrow on there will be meetings with different elders of different provinces, different tribes - so he will see people from tomorrow on."
0145
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