31.   After the talks, the two ministers stressed the commonality in their approaches to security questions and tried to gloss over continuing disputes.

32.   Annan will then chair a joint meeting later in the morning, followed by a day of discussions between the two ministers and senior U.N. officials.

33.   Apart from using a pipeline, the gas could also be exported by sea in the form of liquefied natural gas, the two ministers said.

34.   As the two ministers met again, lower-level delegations worked on technical details.

35.   ASEAN has sought a role in mediating the conflict and sent the three ministers to confer with Hun Sen shortly after the coup.

36.   During the meeting the two ministers discussed the upcoming Bosnian peace talks and the deployment of NATO and Russian troops in the region.

37.   Even though the three ministers were censured by investigation panels, they refused to resign for over a year, saying they had committed no wrong.

38.   Even though the three ministers were found guilty by investigation panels, they refused to resign for over a year, saying they had committed no wrong.

39.   Fabius and the two ministers have been accused of choosing not to purchase technology that would have prevented the tragedy.

40.   Firing the three ministers would cost him crucial political support, portray him as a weak leader and embarrass his government.