41.  The Serb intention to sign the accord follows a statement by the Bosnian government that UN special envoy Yasushi Akashi was needed to settle some differences.

42.  The statement followed statements by the rebels that they are willing to resume peace talks if the government is willing to negotiate in good faith.

43.  The statement was followed by a long pause before the media resumed questioning.

44.  Their comments followed statements by London-based Amnesty International and New York-based Human Rights Watch accusing the Ivorian authorities of arbitrary arrests, killings and torture.

45.  The vote follows a statement by President Jacques Chirac, read to Parliament Tuesday, urging lawmakers to support his pro-European policies.

46.  They said they were ready to brave all consequences following their statement.

47.  His comments followed uncomprising statements from fellow EU farm ministers.

48.  His testimony Thursday came following similar statements made to the court by Damborenea as well as former security chief Julian Sancristobal and anti-terrorist chief Francisco Alvarez.

49.  His comments followed a statement earlier Wednesday by the Turkish foreign ministry which was similarly dismissive of Arab reaction to the military pact.

50.  In Paris, the French franc remained largely unchanged from its position on Thursday following a statement on tax cuts by Prime Minister Alain Juppe.