51.   Putin made the remarks after a meeting with Russian parliamentary leaders.

52.   Peter Struck, parliamentary leader of the governing Social Democrats, said he expects lawmakers to approve a measure next Wednesday or Thursday allowing the fund to start payments.

53.   A parliamentary leader says Russia is under pressure to send military aid to Yugoslavia.

54.   A parliamentary leader accused Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma on Thursday of attempting to derail the upcoming presidential elections.

55.   Acting Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin accepted a package of Soviet-era economic measures, which parliamentary leaders proposed as a condition for confirming his appointment.

56.   Acting Russian prime minister woos parliamentary leaders before confirmation vote.

57.   According to the legislator, Dudayev expressed his readiness for peace talks without preconditions in a letter he handed over for Russian parliamentary leaders.

58.   After a three-day Christmas holiday, Scalfaro was scheduled to resume consultations late Tuesday afternoon by meeting with parliamentary leaders.

59.   Annan is expected to meet with Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin, Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov, parliamentary leaders and other officials before having talks with Yeltsin on Saturday.

60.   Another third would consist of parliamentary leaders and the final third of officials from the current government.