NEWSFLASH

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CURRENCY CRISIS KEEPS FOREIGN SCOUTS HOME

Clark Field, Jan. 7, 1998 - Foreign contingents backed out at the last minute from the Philippine Centennial Scout Jamboree because of the currency crunch. However, the number of participants exceeded expectations, reaching 37,000 even with only Australia and New Zealand as foreign participants.

Countries that cancelled were Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, England, Fiji and China. Currencies in most of these countries had tumbled to new lows, forcing governments to implement austerity measures.

President Fidel Ramos opened the jamboree yesterday afternoon. NEWSFLASH editor Sol Vanzi flew in with the official presidential party to cover the event.

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