1.   Action is essential because Japan is in the midst of a severe credit crunch as shaky banks try to avoid new losses by avoiding almost all loans.

2.   The rescue plan centers on shaky Korean banks.

3.   --- SKOREA BANKS - Thousands of bank employees picketed or refused to work to protest a government order shutting down five financially shaky banks.

4.   Analysts and government officials said the proposed restructuring would affect about a dozen financially shaky banks.

5.   Last week, the government ordered the closure of five financially shaky banks.

6.   Many Asians and Middle Easterners, wary of shaky banks and political uncertainty, are firm believers in hoarding gold.

7.   South Korean banks maintained cozy relations with past military-backed governments and even financially shaky banks could survive with preferential government loans and other favors.

8.   The IMF has long urged Russia to stop wasting scarce resources on subsidies to shaky banks and to accelerate bankruptcy procedures against them.

9.   The IMF is likely to order deep spending cuts, the elimination of shaky banks and businesses, and the forfeiture of some national decision-making power to lenders.

10.   The International Monetary Fund has urged Russia to stop wasting scarce resources on subsidies to shaky banks and to accelerate the liquidation of insolvent organizations.