51.   Edman said the refugees were being questioned and would be transferred to a refugee center pending the investigation of their asylum requests.

52.   Dutch Embassy spokesman Iem G. Roos said the government in The Hague will decide on the asylum request.

53.   Gen. Marcello Caltabiano, regional commander in the area, said the asylum requests, by an Albanian major and a captain, were relayed to the Interior Ministry.

54.   He based his asylum request on claims he feared persecution by the interim government of current Ecuadorean President Fabian Alarcon.

55.   He is now reportedly considering filing an asylum request in Dutch courts.

56.   He would not directly confirm or deny the asylum request.

57.   Her asylum request is under review by the Justice Ministry.

58.   However, he added that asylum requests would be studied and granted if necessary.

59.   It was not clear when Italy would rule on the asylum request.

60.   Italy is also examining his asylum request.