41.   No one is saying when the offensive near Kabul will begin, but government troops are preparing, a Defense Ministry spokesman said.

42.   Now government troops are preparing for a full-scale assault on Taliban forces, Rabbani told The Associated Press.

43.   Russian troops prepare to go to Bosnia.

44.   Talks with the rebels broke down Wednesday and Colombian troops were preparing Thursday to retake a vast jungle safe haven if Pastrana decided to formal.

45.   The appeal came as reports suggested Turkish troops were preparing for a new offensive against the rebels in northern Iraq.

46.   The defense ministry said that troops were preparing for a withdrawal from Qalqiliya and Tulkarem early Tuesday, but no specific time was given for the pullout.

47.   The spokesman said Dudayev had claimed that his troops were preparing for renewed combat.

48.   The Turkish press speculated the troops were preparing to stage massive attacks against PKK bases in northern Iraq.

49.   U.S. troops prepare for possible evacuation of Americans from Zaire.

50.   U.S. troops prepare for mission in Bosnia.