1.   NATO defense ministers open talks Thursday on a radical overhaul of allied military forces to make them better prepared to fight terrorism.

2.   Solana stressed the informal nature of this meeting, which is expected to leave major policy decision for the ministers next regular talks in December.

3.   The two ministers held talks in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, touching on Kosovo, defense technology cooperation and other issues, the Interfax news agency said.

4.   Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin came out firmly against any dialogue with the Islamic Resistance Movement HAMAS on Wednesday after two ministers urged talks with moderate Moslems.

5.   The issue however is likely to come up in finance minister talks on the mechanics of creating a single currency in Valencia, Spain, next week.

6.   The minister said talks between Chirac and Saudi officials would focus on bilateral relations and the dangers currently facing the Middle East peace process.