21.   It is not permitted to disarm the population, however, an Italian defence ministry source stressed.

22.   A defence ministry source here said the Charisharief militants would be transported to the line of control after they surrendered to local authorities.

23.   A defence ministry source said that the failure of Mestiri to persuade all factions to accept the proposed council had further dented his image here.

24.   A defence source said the attack failed.

25.   A defence ministry source here said the Charisharief militants would be transported to the line of control on army vehicles after they surrender to the local authorities.

26.   A defence ministry source however said the Taliban were not true militant Moslems since there was no evidence they had any clear vision for Afghanistan.

27.   A defence source said the wreckage fell in an area under the control of the LTTE.

28.   A defence agency source, speaking to AFP by telephone, confirmed that Tamazawa, who left Tokyo Monday, would be discussing the proposal with his US counterpart.

29.   A defence ministry source said army soldiers also killed two separatists and arrested two others during overnight operations in the Himalayan valley.

30.   A defence ministry source said that only Japan and South Korea had similar agreements with Washington.