31.   On Tuesday, the two delegation chiefs stayed away from the talks, while on Wednesday, they held only an informal meeting over lunch.

32.   Other delegation chiefs were less optimistic, citing the outstanding problem of defining the scope of a complete test ban treaty.

33.   Palestinian delegation chief, Planning and Cooperation Minister Nabil Shaath, said they hoped to negotiate a free trade deal with the United States.

34.   The delegation chiefs have not met since Wednesday morning.

35.   The delegation chief for the rump Yugoslavia, Dragomir Djokic, told journalists last week that the differences centred on the type of forces to be subjected to inspection.

36.   The European Commission Sunday said it had suspended development aid to Nigeria and recalled its delegation chief from Lagos following the execution of nine minority rights activists.

37.   The head of the Russian delegation in Nazran, Nationalities Minister Vyacheslav Mikhailov, said he did not agree with the Chechen delegation chief.

38.   The Palestinians answered Israeli questions about proposals presented last week about how the autonomy council would be set up and work, PLO delegation chief Saeb Erakat told AFP.