31.   The separatists said they reached an oral agreement for a truce to start at noon Wednesday.

32.   Though Quebec has wrung extensive autonomy and language rights from the federal government, separatists say its French culture can only flourish in an independent state.

33.   Though Quebec has won extensive autonomy and language rights from the federal government, separatists say its French culture can only flourish in an independent state.

34.   However, the separatists said their fighters had left the town before federal troops entered.

35.   A Russian military source quoted by Interfax said Chechen fighters were in control of most of Argun, although the separatists say they have controlled it since Tuesday.

36.   Basque separatists said they would launch a one-day protest Friday to highlight their demands for autonomy and an amnesty for hundreds armed separatists currently serving jail sentences.

37.   Bouchard would be mandated to negotiate the new arrangement between Quebec and the rest of Canada which separatists say would be similar to the European Union.

38.   But Chechen separatists said the document could have no legal force.

39.   Chechen separatists said Thursday they would not continue peace talks with the Russian authorities in the breakaway Caucasus republic unless the Russian forces halted their offensive.

40.   Chechen separatists said Sunday they were preparing defences after Russian troops advanced overnight on their positions in the mountain village of Vedeno.