51.   Iraqi and Russian officials held talks Monday aimed at easing tensions in the standoff over U.N. weapons inspectors and forestalling any U.S. attack.

52.   It also dimmed hopes for more peace talks aimed at releasing the sides from the quagmire.

53.   Israel and the Palestinians on Tuesday continued security talks aimed at opening a Palestinian airport in the Gaza Strip, and both sides reported further progress on the issue.

54.   Larsen said that if a cease-fire takes hold in coming days, it must be quickly followed by serious peace talks aimed at establishing a Palestinian state.

55.   Most recently, the two countries agreed in August to hold talks aimed at normalizing ties.

56.   NATO will intensify its airstrike campaign against Yugoslavia after talks aimed at putting the Kosovo peace plan into action collapsed Monday, an alliance general said.

57.   North Korea and Japan agreed in August to hold talks aimed at normalizing diplomatic relations.

58.   North Korea and Japan agreed last August to hold talks aimed at normalizing ties.

59.   Preliminary talks aimed at ending a six-month rebellion in Congo hit another snag on Wednesday when African mediators failed to invite Congolese rebels to participate.

60.   Talks aimed at averting a teachers strike resumed Tuesday night, and Mayor Thomas Menino said he was optimistic an agreement would be reached.