51.   The British government is insisting on a guarantee from Sinn Fein that the IRA should discuss the subject of disarmement at ministerial talks.

52.   The British government is soon to begin ministerial level talks with the Sinn Fein political wing of the Irish Republican Army, British sources said Monday.

53.   The Mainichi Shimbun, another major daily, said the liberalisation plan was presented at bilateral ministerial insurance talks between Mitsuzuka and Barshefsky here last Friday and Saturday.

54.   The incidents occurred ahead of the inaugural round of ministerial talks between the two countries.

55.   The ministerial talks flow from a partnership agreement signed in January by former prime minister Paul Keating to strengthen bilateral ties.

56.   The ministerial talks follow a meeting between senior officials in Tokyo this week that failed to break the impasse.

57.   The ministerial talks will cover investment in transportation infrastructure, market access, transportation technologies, personnel training, and work plans for regional transportation.

58.   The meeting will be preceded by ministerial talks in Manila.