21.   Robust demand and dwindling supplies of the metals have driven prices higher, even though exports could resume within the next month.

22.   Russian exports could resume as early as Friday, analysts said, alleviating a shortage of both metals.

23.   Russian officials said that exports would soon resume.

24.   Russian officials say exports will resume in June.

25.   Russian exports resumed two weeks ago, although they may not be large enough to satisfy consumer demand.

26.   Some exports have since resumed, under certain restrictions.

27.   Speculation that exports will resume, alleviating low consumer inventories, helped pull platinum down from mid-week highs.

28.   Still, Rybkin declined to say whether exports would resume in May, and today prices soared again.

29.   Traders said they expect extensive sales of palladium and platinum from Russia once exports finally resume.

30.   UN Secretary General Kofi Annan could approve the plan by the end of the week and exports could resume almost immediately, UN spokeswoman Sophie Sebirot said.