Italy - Seborga declares independence

(27 Aug 1996) T/I: 11:02:58
Seborga, a tiny Italian township perched on a hill near the border with France, has formally declared its "independence".
The declaration was made by Giorgio Carbone, a local flower grower who was elected "prince" of Seborga in 1963 by the then 300-odd Seborgans. The local citizenry now numbers 362. "We have declared our territorial, civil, moral and religious sovereignty," he said - dressed in royal regalia, his chest adorned with the cross of St
Bernard's.
SHOWS:
SEBORGA, ITALY, 24/08
WS, zoom in to Seborga on hilltop;
Seborga flags flying on Government palace;
Sign saying Welcome to the Ancient Principality of Seborga;
TILT down from Seborga flag to border guard at border post;
Border guard waves car through border;
CU Seborga flags, tilt down to guards in front of Government Palace;
CU sign saying Principality of Seborga;
INT Palace, Prince George 1 descends stairs, followed by two Knights of St Bernards;
CU St Bernards cross on Prince's chest;
SOT Prince, (in Italian), saying "We have declared our territorial, civil, moral and religious sovreignty, all that defines a sovereign state.";
CU Knight of St Bernards;
Central square, guards salute flag;
CU guard;
VS flag ceremony;
Minister Of Interior, Secondo Messali, exits car and says hello;
INT palace, WS room where cabinet meeting is being held;
CU Minister of Education Renata Leone and her daughter;
Minster of Interior;
CU portrait George I;
George I signing documents, while Minister of Interior stands over him;
CU badge, of Minister of Interior;
CU identity card;
Tourist change money into Luigini;
CU money being changed;
CU coin;
CU sign on shop window, saying in Italian, "Luigini of the Principality
accepted here";
Cu guard;
CU guard wearing head phones, office of the state radio station;
MS guard fiddling with radio dials;
Prince's mercedes arrives, state flag on car, guard salutes;
CU Seborga license plate, next to Italian plate;
Prince exits car, walks to "The Prince" restaurant;
RUNS 3.37
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