31.   An IMF mission is expected in Kiev next week, and Ukrainian officials are optimistic it will recommend releasing the loan.

32.   APTV has pictures of Chubais in the Russian Duma during the discussion of the book publication and meeting Ukrainian officials in Kiev.

33.   Axworthy met with Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko and Serhy Osyka, minister for foreign trade, as well as other leading Ukrainian officials.

34.   Before that, Ukrainian officials had reportedly been eager to keep the powerful rockets intact, possibly to sell them for use in commercial satellite launches.

35.   But later Ukrainian officials said the government gave the Turboatom plant in Kharkiv permission to go ahead with the deal.

36.   But Ukrainian officials later said they could not close the plant before receiving aid to complete new reactors at the Rivne and Khmelnitsky plants.

37.   But senior Ukrainian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Thursday that Zviagilsky had fled to France to avoid arrest.

38.   But Ukrainian officials acknowledged later Wednesday that talks with the IMF delegation were tense because the government failed to meet revenue targets set by the fund.

39.   But Ukrainian officials have delayed preparations for the closure, saying foreign lenders have lagged on funding for two new nuclear reactors.

40.   Chretien, who arrived with a large group of Canadian businessmen, was due to meet with top Ukrainian officials including President Leonid Kuchma and Prime Minister Valery Pustovoitenko.