51.   A NATO spokesman said the military operation was entering a second day, without giving details of the missions being carried out by the aircraft of the Atlantic alliance.

52.   A French foreign ministry spokesman said Friday Paris was keen to assess whether he had the qualities France is seeking to lead the Atlantic alliance into the next century.

53.   A NATO spokesman in Brussels confirmed that Russia would join the partnership for peace effort linking the Atlantic alliance to former Soviet bloc countries.

54.   A year passed, with an intervening change of president, before Russia was ready to resume bilateral relations with the Atlantic alliance.

55.   Atlantic alliance warplanes targetted mainly military installations of the Bosnian Serbs and some bridges and roads as well.

56.   Atlantic alliance warplanes were in action overnight Wednesday and were expected to continue their raids through the day, Vernon said.

57.   But he added that he wanted to see greater cooperation with the Atlantic alliance in every respect.

58.   During talks with Chernomyrdin, French President Jacques Chirac earlier repeated his desire that the Atlantic alliance be enlarged to take in former republics of the Soviet Union.

59.   The offensive though has caused concern among NATO allies and particuarly the Atlantic alliance Secretary General Willy Claes.

60.   The operation involves Atlantic alliance aircraft policing Bosnian air space to prevent the warring factions in Bosnia using air power.