21.   He said Abdul Ahad was also holding talks with Haji Shir Mohammad, the governor of Helmand Province, who has declared his allegiance to Karzai.

22.   Applicants, according to rules set by China, must be ethnic Chinese, declare their allegiance to Hong Kong and Beijing, and not hold any foreign passports.

23.   Madelin, reputedly a supporter of the latter, has not yet formally declared his allegiance.