1.   Asked why he met Japanese business leaders before meeting Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, Blair said it was important to enhance ties between U.K. and Japanese businesses.

2.   But, by enhancing ties with Vietnam, America may yet achieve its objectives, winning a nation over to freedom and making a friend of an enemy.

3.   Ciller, according to Turkish Ambassador Ahmet Umer, also was due to chair a meeting between Jordanian and Turkish businessmen to enhance trade ties through possible joint ventures.

4.   Downer will participate in a dialogue in Manila organized by an Australian and a Philippine university aimed at enhancing bilateral ties.

5.   Earlier Wednesday, Philippine Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon said he hoped that helping with the defection crisis will enhance ties between the Philippines and China.

6.   Grundtland, who was accompanied by several senior government officials and business leaders, arrived Saturday for a-four-day visit to enhance bilateral ties.

7.   He said he hoped the visit would enhance ties between the two nations.

8.   He said he hoped his visit would enhance ties between the two neighboring Muslim nations.

9.   Hungarian President Arpad Goencz arrived Monday for a three-day visit meant to enhance economic ties.

10.   KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. - Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong arrived todayfor a three-day visit to Malaysia, aimed at enhancing bilateral ties.