41.   Aristide, who is to return to Port-au-Prince from Washington on Saturday, asked the Panamanian government to grant Cedras asylum.

42.   Defense Secretary William Cohen said in January that the United States wanted to keep some residual military presence in Panama if the Panamanian government was interested.

43.   The Panamanian government decided Thursday against taking in Haitian boat people, three days after accepting a US request to give them refuge, officials said.

44.   The statement said the Panamanian government has encouraged businessmen in Taiwan to invest in the zone, offering tax exemptions on imports and exports and rent-free periods.

45.   Other facilities may be turned into industrial parks, training centers and tourist attractions, the Panamanian government says.

46.   The Panamanian government decided Thursday against taking in Haitian refugees, three days after accepting a US request to give them refuge, officials said.