71.   Israeli security forces are preparing for a possible summit overnight on Tuesday between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, Israeli army radio said.

72.   Russian forces had been preparing for the offensive since the middle of the week, and large numbers of reinforcements and supplies were assembled round the village.

73.   Russian forces prepared a crushing blow to Chechen independence forces Wednesday, launching an operation to encircle the main rebel bastion of Shali and rocketing the town centre.

74.   Russian forces have been preparing for the attack since the beginning of the week, massing troops around Shatoi.

75.   Serb radio in Pale Saturday reported that general mobilization had been ordered and that its forces were preparing to defend Bosanska Krupa.

76.   Serb radio in Pale said its forces were preparing to defend Bosanska Krupa.

77.   Sri Lanka is headed for more bloodshed after Tamil Tiger guerrillas rejected foreign mediated talks and security forces prepared a new showdown, Tamil politicians said Thursday.

78.   The official could not confirm PUK reports that its forces were preparing to mount an offensive against Koysanjak.