61.   A defense official told reporters earlier that Iraqi forces were preparing for assaults on two other strongholds of the PUK, Chamchamil and Sulaymaniyah.

62.   Afghan interim administration forces are preparing for battle with two local warlords who have taken control of a key trade route to Iran, a report said Wednesday.

63.   Angolan radio said government forces were preparing a major offensive on rebel-held areas.

64.   Ardzinba said Georgian forces were preparing to invade his breakaway Black Sea region and vowed that Abkhazian forces would respond immediately to any threat of force.

65.   Ardzinba said Georgian forces were preparing to invade his breakaway Black Sea region, and that Abkhazian forces would respond immediately to any threat of force.

66.   Ardzinba said Georgian forces were preparing to storm his breakaway region, and that Abkhazian forces would respond immediately to any threat of force.

67.   Bosnian Serb forces were preparing to defend the western town of Bosanska Krupa from encircling Moslem-led government forces, Radio Pale reported Saturday night.

68.   The US officials estimated that the Bosnian government forces are preparing for a protracted fight.

69.   Israeli and Palestinian security forces also actively prepared for the expected transfer of power.

70.   Israeli army radio said earlier that Israeli security forces were preparing for a possible summit overnight on Tuesday between the two leaders at Erez.