11.   Russia and China have also failed to ratify the accord.

12.   The Knesset is expected to meet Tuesday and ratify the accord as planned.

13.   The treaty only lacks formal ratification from Russia to take effect, and Moscow said Wednesday it plans to ratify the accord by mid-summer.

14.   The United States, however, has yet to ratify the accord, in part because of intense lobbying in Congress by the pharmaceutical lobby.

15.   Today, key nations, including the United States, have yet to ratify the accord.

16.   Union officials said the rank and file would not be given an opportunity to ratify the accord.

17.   Yasir Arafat, the Palestinian leader, tried through his chief spokesmen to emphasize his relief that the accord had been ratified.

18.   With some major developing countries on board and the American public behind the agreement, the administration assumed it could then persuade the Senate to ratify the accord.

19.   Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said he hoped the Cabinet would ratify the accord on Wednesday.

20.   Parliaments in Britain, Germany, Greece, Ireland and Luxembourg have already ratified the accord.