61.   UN chief Kofi Annan opened a conference of signatories of the international treaty banning chemical arms with an appeal for more countries to ratify the charter.

62.   Once both countries ratify the charter, MEMTTA will be registered in France as a non-governmental organisation, Zayyat said.

63.   Rodger Chongwe of Zambia said attempts to have these countries ratify the charter as promised had failed.

64.   Several major countries have not ratified the statute, however, notably the United States, which has demanded sweeping exemptions for members of its armed forces.

65.   Sixty-five countries must ratify the treaty for it to go into force.

66.   The country has ratified an agreement with the EU setting up a free trade zone and boosting cooperation in areas such as justice and home affairs.