31.   British Defense Minister Michael Portillo urged Ukraine on Monday to seek a special partnership with NATO despite opposition from Russia, which opposes expansion of the Western alliance.

32.   But it has avoided setting a date, largely for fear of upsetting Moscow which opposes any expansion of its old Cold War foe.

33.   But the expansion is opposed by the U.S. administration.

34.   Catholic bishops unsuccessfully opposed government expansion of the Value Added Tax, claiming it impacted unfairly against the poor.

35.   Hard-liners in Russia strongly oppose NATO expansion and have accused Yeltsin of caving in to the Western alliance.

36.   Hardliners in the Duma, as the lower house is called, strongly oppose NATO expansion and have accused Yeltsin of caving in to the Western alliance.

37.   He has also opposed EU expansion and urged a near halt to immigration.

38.   He has pledged to maintain most of the existing settlements, but opposes expansion and has indicated that some settlements will be dismantled.

39.   Hillary Rodham Clinton blasted GOP Senate rival Rick Lazio on Thursday for opposing the expansion of a federal program to help first-time home buyers secure mortgages.

40.   It was not clear whether the U.S., which opposes settlement expansion, would place restrictions on any aid package it approves, the official said.