21.   Willy Claes resigned as NATO secretary-general earlier this month following allegations that his Socialist Party in Belgium had taken bribes for an Italian helicopter contract.

22.   Fourteen sailors were winched to safety in the Mediterranean Sea Tuesday morning by an Italian military helicopter after their cargo ship foundered off Sicily, rescue services said.

23.   Four Italian military helicopters flew in and, as three circled overhead to provide protection, one landed.

24.   Fourteen sailors were winched to safety in the Mediterranean Sea early Tuesday by an Italian military helicopter after their container ship foundered off Sicily, rescue services said.

25.   An Italian helicopter was also fired on, some reports said.

26.   An Italian helicopter evacuating people from Tirana was also hit by gunfire Friday but no one was injured, military officials said.

27.   An Italian military helicopter was also pierced by gunfire.

28.   An Italian helicopter overflew the scene of the sinking, while a navy vessel crisscrossed the choppy seas below.

29.   Claes and Coeme have both been named in connection with a scandal involving alleged bribes paid by an Italian helicopter manufacturer Agusta.

30.   Coeme also appeared before the court last year in connection with the Italian helicopter order.