31.   Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on Thursday arrived for a four-day visit to Turkey aimed at bolstering economic ties.

32.   Abdallah and Jordanian Prime Minister Zeid ben Shaker also discussed ways to heal rifts in the Arab world and bolster bilateral ties, the agency said.

33.   An official Saudi newspaper on Monday urged Arab leaders at the upcoming Cairo summit to bolster ties with Russia and prevent it from tilting toward Israel.

34.   At a joint news conference, Kim stressed that South Korean and Norwegian shipbuilders should bolster ties.

35.   Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer goes to China on Thursday determined to bolster bilateral ties buffeted recently by political turbulence, officials said Tuesday.

36.   British Foreign Office Minister of State Douglas Hogg arrived Sunday in the Syrian capital for a three-day visit aimed at bolstering economic ties between the two countries.

37.   Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa arrived in Malaysia Sunday evening for a three-day official visit aimed at bolstering bilateral ties, officials said.

38.   Chinese Premier Li Peng is currently in Africa on a six-country tour to bolster ties with Africa, where seven countries maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

39.   Egypt and Iran are planning joint industrial projects as part of moves to bolster economic ties, the Egyptian industry ministry said Sunday.

40.   The prime minister, however, said efforts have been stepped up to bolster ties between the two sides.