1.   Barsukov said Saturday that if the rebels released the hostages and gave up their weapons, they would be guaranteed safe passage back to their mountainous north Caucasus homeland.

2.   After an agreement, the rebels would release most of the hostages, retaining a few to be released after they are escorted to a safe haven.

3.   In Kumanovo, Macedonia, a man released by rebels who kidnapped him shows the first letter of his name carved on his back.

4.   Meanwhile, there was increased speculation throughout the day Saturday that the rebels would release another group of hostages from the first floor as a show of good faith.

5.   On Thursday, the rebels released a communique from a hideout somewhere in Guerrero reporting that two of their members had been arrested recently by the military police.

6.   The administration has kept a low profile in diplomatic efforts, especially since the rebels released seven middle-ranking U.S. officials on Sunday night.

7.   The rebels did on occasion release photographs of Don.

8.   The rebels on Friday released a four-man Russian helicopter crew and two passengers who had been detained Tuesday in eastern Sierra Leone.

9.   Then Wednesday night the rebels released a statement denying an attack on civilians.