41.   Labor Party opens annual conference.

42.   Meanwhile, the European Union opened a conference Wednesday with Israel and its Arab neighbors in hopes it could help tip the balance toward peace in the region.

43.   Mubarak opened the conference with a call to peace.

44.   Mrs. Clinton had been due to open the conference on Monday, but postponed her address so she could attend the funeral of the late King Hussein of Jordan.

45.   Muslim nations open conference on terrorism.

46.   Niedermayer said he was getting better and after the game he said he hoped to play Saturday when the Devils open the conference final against either Buffalo or Pittsburgh.

47.   On Monday, International Commission on Whaling opens annual conference in Grenada.

48.   Opening the conference Monday, Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali sidestepped the question of limited or indefinite extension.

49.   Opening the conference, host Premier Antonio Guterres said war in former Yugoslavia was a terrible example of what happens when such threats are ignored.

50.   Other bishops being deported include Gabriel Garrol from the Philippines and another from Japan, who read a prayer opening the conference.