51.   He said it appeared that Washington simply wanted to consider the Haitian asylum claims aboard ships anchored off the islands, not on the islands themselves.

52.   After two years in detention, several dozen abandoned their asylum claims and requested deportation to China.

53.   All will continue to press their US asylum claims from Ecuador, Burgess said.

54.   But Japan has angrily charged that the police violated its sovereign territory and has demanded the five be handed over so their asylum claims can be processed.

55.   Critics contend that the measure would unfairly expedite Vietnamese asylum claims ahead of others and prompt more Vietnamese to flee by boat in hope of winning asylum.

56.   The Post said the United States wanted to consider the asylum claims on board ships anchored off the islands, not on the islands themselves.

57.   The United Nations refugee agency has temporarily halted processing all asylum claims by Afghan nationals after the collapse of the Taliban regime, a spokeswoman said Tuesday.

58.   Turkey agreed to allow the Kurds on its territory only if they are in transit to another country where their asylum claims will be addressed, officials said.

59.   Japan has demanded the five be handed over to consular staff so their asylum claim can be processed.

60.   Japan has demanded that the five be handed back to consular staff so that their asylum claim can be processed.