41.   The asylum bid has put China in a bind.

42.   The crisis flared a week ago when Montesinos returned to Peru after a failed asylum bid in Panama and promptly went underground.

43.   The incident comes amid a spate of asylum bids by North Koreans who have sought refuge in foreign missions in Beijing.

44.   The group included six families and three individuals, according to a statement distributed by supporters who helped the North Koreans in their asylum bid.

45.   The guards have apparently blocked some asylum bids and made arrests.

46.   The political crisis intensified Monday, when Montesinos returned to Peru after a failed asylum bid in Panama and promptly went underground.

47.   The political crisis intensified Monday when Montesinos returned to Peru after a failed asylum bid in Panama and promptly went underground.

48.   The shadowy spymaster has been in hiding since his return from a failed asylum bid in Panama.

49.   They have entered by climbing over walls or rushing past armed Chinese guards whose numbers have been boosted in recent weeks to discourage further asylum bids.

50.   They were placed in the Frejus military camp in southern France, but then allowed to leave as they prepare their asylum bids.