1.   Japan and Asean have recently concluded a joint declaration that calls for regular security dialogue and exchange of defence officials between them.

2.   McLachlan said they would allow defence officials, military officers and foreign ministry officials to participate in a single forum.

3.   There was no immediated confirmation of the release from defence officials in Ottawa.

4.   Four foreigners appointed to monitor a truce in Sri Lanka will have their first meeting with Tamil guerrilla leaders Sunday before commencing their work, defence officials said.

5.   France cancelled flights by two military aircraft due to refuel in Australia on Tuesday, defence officials said.

6.   French Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie is to make a flying visit to French troops in Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan on Monday, defence ministry officials said.

7.   French Foreign Minister Herve de Charette reiterated Thursday that France had frozen arms sales to Taiwan, after a Taiwanese defence official claimed negotiating channels remained open.

8.   Fresh fighting has broken out between rival warlords in the northern Afghanistan city of Mazar-i-Sharif, a defence ministry official said Sunday.

9.   Grachev also said after meeting Chinese defence officials that Russia and China had agreed to intensify military cooperation, but did not elaborate.

10.   He will also meet several defence officials, Interfax said.