11.   An official Iranian statement said that the defence agreement had vast dimensions and help to stabilize peace in the region.

12.   If it did not withdraw, the statement said, the CPCz should be banned.

13.   A US official statement said that the agreement was concrete evidence of US intentions to retain a military presence in south-east Asia for the forseeable future.

14.   The statement also said that UNITA would publish its election manifesto before May.

15.   A joint statement said that they had agreed in principle to resume dialogue on Siachen, the disputed glacier area in the north.

16.   An FAO statement said that a major and immediate relief effort is required to avert large-scale food shortages and human suffering in the coming months.

17.   An Israeli army statement said that there is no certainty of any Syrian involvement in the attack.

18.   Urging restraint in the development of conventional forces, the statement said that otherwise these could exacerbate political tensions.

19.   The statement said that international conventions should be respected and all disputes should be settled through dialogue.

20.   A government statement meanwhile said that regulations would be strictly applied to prohibit all partisan activity in and around mosques.