61.   Speculation grew last month when Defense Minister Kim Dong-Shin stressed that South Korea should consider security ties with the United States in the project.

62.   The agreement is part of recent efforts to enhance security ties.

63.   The agreement was part of recent efforts to build up bilateral security ties.

64.   The New Zealand prime minister was quoted as saying the reffirmation of security ties would benefit the entire Pacific region.

65.   The joint statement after the Clinton-Hashimoto summit is expected to reaffirm bilateral security ties which have been under pressure since the rape on Okinawa.