21.   The alliance also agreed to set up a new forum with Russia to deal with common issues.

22.   The NATO alliance agreed Friday to reduce its peacekeeping forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo to reflect an improved security situation in the Balkans.

23.   The northern alliance had agreed to participate with the king in such a council.

24.   The northern alliance also agreed to allow an international security force to secure peace in Afghanistan, dropping its earlier rejection of the idea.

25.   Yeltsin asserts that the alliances has agreed not to do that.

26.   Russian President Boris Yeltsin said in a statement last month that the alliance should first agree an accord with Russia before embarking on its planned expansion.