21.   However Michel Bourlet, the Neufchateau prosecutor leading the investigation, denied rumours that the remains of another body had been found there.

22.   In addition, the group denied market rumours of a possible merger with SmithKline Beecham.

23.   In the interview, Kohl also denied rumours, roused by a report last week in the German weekly magazine Der Spiegel, that he has cancer.

24.   In the meantime Pyongyang continues to deny all rumours.

25.   A Fuji Bank official denied the rumour.

26.   A senior government official in Abidjan Monday denied rumours that the Ivory Coast-Liberia border has been closed in the region around Pleebo and Gozon.

27.   A spokesman for Mestiri denied rumours that the envoy has suspended his mediation efforts and said he was vigorously continuing his mission.

28.   A spokesman for the company had said late Thursday that the board would hold an extraordinary meeting Friday but denied rumours that a proposed acquisition was on the agenda.

29.   All the parties here denied rumours circulating in the Burundian capital Bujumbura that direct negotiations were to start in Rome.

30.   Although the Venezuelan minister later denied these rumours, saying that it was too soon to talk of any changes, the harm was already done.