1.   Ratsiraka handed over many of his responsibilities to Razanamasy, although retaining the portfolios of Defence and Foreign Affairs.

2.   In an interview with the Haaretz newspaper published Monday, Barak said he would consider retaining the portfolio of Defense Minister to oversee the sensitive negotiations.

3.   But they retained their portfolios.

4.   Cocker takes over as Minister of Works from Dr. Langi Kavaliku, who retains the portfolios of Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Education and Civil Aviation.

5.   Defense Agency chief Fumio Kyuma and Health and Welfare Minister Junichiro Koizumi also retained their portfolios.

6.   Foreign Minister Fredrick Chien, Economic Minister Chiang Pin-kun and Finance Minister Lin Chen-kuo retained their portfolios.

7.   Foreign Affairs Minister Don McKinnon, Agriculture Minister Lockwood Smith, Justice minister Doug Graham and Environment Minister Simon Upton move off the front bench but retain their portfolios.

8.   Kabariti retained the portfolios of defense and foreign affairs.

9.   Ratnasiri Wickremanayake retains the portfolio of prime minister and Lakshman Kadirgamar, a Tamil, will continue to look after the Foreign Ministry.