41.   Federal congressmen and an independent organization have helped mediate the talks.

42.   Federation members also condemned a proposal by Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic to hold a referendum on whether foreigners should mediate talks on Kosovo.

43.   Former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere, who is mediating the talks, was optimistic.

44.   Foreign Secretary Roberto Romulo last week said Manila was willing to mediate talks between the Vatican and Hanoi as well as with China.

45.   Former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere began mediating talks earlier this year to end the violence in Burundi.

46.   Former South African President Nelson Mandela has been mediating the talks in Arusha.

47.   Gen. Hashim Mbita, spokesman for former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere, who is mediating the talks, said discussion of the sanctions did not figure on the agenda.

48.   He asked the Cuban leader to mediate talks during a visit to Havana in January, but Castro has been noncommittal.

49.   He arrived Thursday on his third visit in three weeks to mediate talks.

50.   He asked the Cuban leader to mediate talks during a January visit to Havana, but Castro has been noncommittal.