21.   A command spokesman said the freed hostages, who were in a poor physical state, were transferred to a Russian military hospital.

22.   A NATO southern command spokesman in Naples, Italy, refused to confirm the report.

23.   Earlier, a NATO southern Europe command spokesman had said the missions were continuing.

24.   Earlier a NATO southern Europe command spokesman said the missions were continuing.

25.   The rebels handed over two Russian soldiers Thursday, a Russian command spokesman told Interfax.

26.   Military southern command spokesman Captain Noel Detoyato on Tuesday reiterated that US troops will only act as trainers and not engage in actual combat.

27.   Military southern command spokesman Major Noel Detoyato said actual training exercises are to begin in the next two weeks.

28.   Penghu defense command spokesman Major General Ho Tai-yi said Penghu military authorities would closely monitor the combined manoeuvres in case of possible night assaults from China.

29.   Russian troops have been ordered to find and capture Chechen separatist leader Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev, Interfax news agency quoted a military command spokesman as saying Wednesday.

30.   The grandmother was freed hours later, military southern command spokesman Colonel Fredesvindo Covarrubias said.