31.   The Turkish foreign ministry declined to say what was in the letter.

32.   However, the ministry of defence declined to comment on the possibility of the two aircraft manufacturers buying Thomson.

33.   However, the French defence ministry declined to comment on the report.

34.   In London, the defence ministry declined to comment on the report.

35.   In Ottawa, the Canadian foreign ministry declined to confirm the reports that Canada would head an international force.

36.   In Moscow, the Russian foreign ministry declined to comment on the matter.

37.   But finance ministry declined to confirm the report.

38.   But the ministry declined to say just what Lacroix had done.

39.   But the British defence ministry declined to say whether membership of the agency would prevent Britain from making non-European arms purchases in the future.

40.   But the ministry declined to comment on the report.