61.   Hebron has been a key sticking point in efforts by Israelis and Palestinians to prepare the ground for an Arafat-Netanyahu meeting.

62.   He said the purpose of his trip was to prepare the ground for a visit in early May by Richard Holbrooke, special U.S. presidential envoy for Cyprus.

63.   Iraq on Saturday accused the United States of preparing the ground for a military strike by insisting that U.N. arms monitors be allowed to inspect the palaces.

64.   None is preparing the ground for the sort of pro-market policies to which France will eventually have to resort to for its salvation.

65.   Nine Italian military advisers stayed behind to prepare the ground for an October aid operation, said force spokesman Col. Giovanni Bernardi.

66.   One veteran U.N. staff member was upset after a meeting between U.N. officers and Americans who flew in early to prepare the ground.

67.   Ristic said the move meant that the state was transferring its obligations into the hands of the citizens preparing ground for the withdrawal of the Serb police.

68.   Preparing the ground for crucial Mideast negotiations in London next week, U.S. Vice President Al Gore held talks Friday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

69.   Preparing the ground for crucial Mideast negotiations in London next week, U.S. Vice President Al Gore on Friday held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

70.   Rafsanjani said the three-country agreement would promote inter-Asian trade and prepare the ground for creation of an Asian chamber for bartered trade, IRNA said.