61.   The French defence ministry in Paris backtracked on an earlier announcement that Denard had surrendered, saying there was no confirmation.

62.   The French defence ministry said the undergound blast at Mururoa Atoll in the South Pacific was carried out Friday.

63.   The French defence minister and his Macedonian counterpart Sunday signed a defence cooperation protocol, whose main element deals with the training of Macedonian military staff in France.

64.   The French defence ministry has so far refused to comment on the report.

65.   The French defence ministry immediately denied any official involvement by France in the affair.

66.   The French defence ministry made no comment on the reports.

67.   The French defence ministry refused to comment on the reports.

68.   The French defence ministry said the report contained no firm proof.

69.   The French defence ministry has so far refused to comment officially on the issue.

70.   The French defence ministry has stressed that the discussions would not deal with any possible French weapons sales to China.