31.   But he also told Yeltsin that the Chechens were not disarming fast enough, the presidential press service said.

32.   But the presidential press service said they could not confirm the report.

33.   But on Tuesday evening, the presidential press service said most of the rebels had been eliminated and the rest had entered Tajikistan.

34.   Catherine Trautmann stepped down as government spokeswoman, but she will remain Culture Minister, according to an announcement that was made by the presidential press service.

35.   Ceremonies and concerts commemorating those years are to be held annually in Ukraine during November, the presidential press service said.

36.   Chirac is expected to hold talks with President Petru Lucinschi and other Moldovan leaders, and meet French-speaking students and teachers, the presidential press service said.

37.   Corruption in the government has contributed to the growth of organized crime as more and more government officials succumb to bribery, the presidential press service said.

38.   Doctors who examined Yeltsin on Saturday morning said his condition has stabilized and he has become more active, the presidential press service said.

39.   Doctors will continue a course of medicinal treatment, the presidential press service announced.

40.   Earlier Wednesday, Yeltsin met with Chernomyrdin for more than hour, according to the presidential press service.