21.   President Chandrika Kumaratunga has offered to create a loose federation of eight states, including a Tamil-dominated area, with wide autonomy.

22.   Serbian officials propose a loose federation with only few common functions such as defense, foreign affairs and currency.

23.   The EU ministers backed an agreement by Serbia and Montenegro to stick together in a new loose federation.

24.   The model under negotiation is for a loose federation with the two member states.

25.   They warmly backed the agreement by Serbia and Montenegro to stick together in a new loose federation.

26.   Western leaders have argued against independence, instead proposing that Serbia and Montenegro stay united in a loose federation.

27.   Zubak, leader of the Bosnian Croats, who are allied with the government in a loose federation, signed it on Monday.

28.   Bosnian and Croatian Serb leaders met in April to discuss proposals for a loose federation.