101.   He also reassured Chinese leaders that the U.S.-Japanese defense pact was not a threat.

102.   He said the new pact is an improvement over past compensation deals, each of which lasted only for a year.

103.   He said the new pact was open to other cooperative banks elsewhere in Europe.

104.   His Israeli counterpart, Yossi Sarid, said a pact was likely to be signed in the next few days.

105.   However, the pact is still before a committee and hearings have not been scheduled.

106.   Hun Sen has said the pact was necessary to prevent renewed civil war, but critics are dubious.

107.   If Japan follows the United States and withdraws, the pact is certain to fail.

108.   In a statement, the shareholder owned company said the pact should be ready to sign by Thursday.

109.   It would be the first global ban, though there are regional pacts against trafficking in hazardous waste.

110.   Japanese officials argue that a new pact is not necessary because the Japanese auto market has become much more open, especially to foreign investment.