21.   Primakov has served as a mediator in previous confrontations between the United Nations and Iraq, and was credited with averting a military showdown on one occasion.

22.   Russian President Boris Yeltsin claimed some credit for the deal, saying his diplomats helped avert a military showdown.

23.   Russian President Boris Yeltsin said Russian diplomats had helped avert a military showdown.

24.   Russian President Boris Yeltsin, another critic of military action, said his diplomats helped avert a military showdown.

25.   Still, fears of a military showdown push Taipei shares into a tailspin Friday.

26.   Syria warned Israel on Tuesday to halt its attacks on south Lebanon or risk drawing Damascus into a military showdown.

27.   Still, fears of a military showdown pushed Taipei shares into a tailspin Friday.

28.   Athens had blocked the aid package because of its sovereignty dispute with Ankara over a barren Aegean Sea islet last month which nearly led to a military showdown.

29.   Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen was to meet with President Bill Clinton early Wednesday amid concern about a possible military showdown over contested islands in the South China Sea.

30.   Publication of the report set for Monday was delayed until Tuesday at the earliest under US pressure prompted by the military showdown in the Gulf, diplomats said.