21.   Kumaratunga kept the important finance and defense portfolios to herself and appointed a former Tamil militant to her Cabinet for the first time.

22.   Kumaratunga kept the important finance and defense portfolios to herself and appointed a former Tamil rebel into her Cabinet for the first time.

23.   Loewer, of the Liberal Party, takes over the defense portfolio.

24.   Most speculate the defense portfolio will be given as an additional job to ABRI Chief Gen. Wiranto.

25.   Netanyahu, speaking in Haifa, said he would not appoint ministers for now, adding that his eventual choice for the defense portfolio would be a surprise.

26.   Oltan Sungurlu, of Motherland, holds the defense portfolio, and Ulku Guney, also Motherland, interior minister.

27.   Ravalomanana staged a ceremony at the mayoral palace to name his ministers to his alternative Cabinet, but delayed announcing who should take over the key defense portfolio.

28.   Rao continues to hold the defense portfolio.

29.   Rao did not say whether he would give up the defense portfolio he has held for two years.

30.   Sharon has already promised the foreign minister post to Labor, in addition to the defense portfolio, the agriculture ministry and five other Cabinet seats.