71.   Finance Minister Hiroshi Mitsuzuka and other ministry officials have suggested Japan could move to sell dollars for yen at any time to boost the yen.

72.   Finance Minister Hiroshi Mitsuzuka and other senior ministry officials have rejected that idea.

73.   Finance ministry officials in New York declined to comment about the speculation.

74.   Following the meeting a finance ministry official quoted Mitsuzuka as saying a plunge of the yen is undesirable and Japan is prepared to support the yen.

75.   Finance ministry officials declined to comment on the meeting.

76.   Finance ministry officials in New York declined to comment about the speculation, which was unconfirmed.

77.   Finance ministry officials said they want to place the BPH stake with Bank Handlowy because of problems finding a strategic investor.

78.   French foreign ministry officials were said to be aghast.

79.   Foreign ministry officials regularly deny NATO allegations that Serbian forces are committing atrocities in Kosovo.