21.   He said the alliance will take measures to turn the islands dispute into an international incident if the Japanese military interferes in the protest.

22.   He did not say who was responsible for the looting, which occurred shortly after the northern alliance took over the two cities.

23.   He said the alliance would take legal action against firms that use pirated programs.

24.   Kabila is saying the rebel alliance should take over power as the transitional authority and that Mobutu should cede power to them.

25.   Low-cast and regional alliance takes office Saturday.

26.   Many Pashtuns complain of discrimination since the Tajik-dominated northern alliance took Kabul.

27.   Many in the northern alliance hope the United States will bomb Taliban front-line positions north of Kabul and enable the alliance to take the capital.

28.   Meanwhile, NATO spokesman Craig Ratcliff told The Associated Press that for now the alliance was not taking a role in winning the release of any hostages.

29.   NATO also has to resolve the status of U.N. troops from non-NATO nations, particularly Russia, if the alliance takes command of a withdrawal.

30.   NATO spokesman Craig Ratcliff told The Associated Press that for now the alliance was not taking a role in winning the release of any hostages.