11.   Chernomyrdin made the statement following a meeting with his Finnish counterpart Asko Axo on the possibility of negotiating an end to the war in the separatist republic.

12.   During a two-day visit starting Monday Brazauskas is scheduled to meet his Finnish counterpart Paavo Lipponen and President Tarja Halonen.

13.   The Russian premier and his Finnish counterpart Paavo Lipponen signed six agreements Saturday, including two covering military equipment.

14.   Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller will visit Finland on Friday for talks with her Finnish counterpart Tarja Halonen and President Martti Ahtisaari, the foreign ministry announced.

15.   Visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Murat Karayalcin received the assurance during talks with his Finnish counterpart Paavo Rantanen.

16.   McKinnon began his stay in Helsinki by visiting Finnish counterpart, Tarja Halonen.

17.   Radio Russia, monitored in London by the BBC, reported that he and his Finnish counterpart Paavo Lipponen signed six agreements Saturday, including two covering military equipment.

18.   Russian President Vladimir Putin was meeting his Finnish counterpart Tarja Halonen on Sunday for talks expected to focus on regional and economic issues including transport and the environment.

19.   South African Environmental Affairs Minister Dawie de Villiers had contacted his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto to ask that the transport be turned back.

20.   The accord was finalised at a meeting between Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin and his Finnish counterpart Eski Aho.