81.  Its parent was GEC, the former defence group, which sold its defence interests to British Aerospace before converting itself under a new name.

82.  Jaswant Singh, a former defence minister and a retired colonel, had also slammed the budget.

83.  Juppe can expect sniping from Balladur and his supporters, who also include former defence minister Francois Leotard.

84.  Juppe can expect sniping on his economic performance from Balladur and his supporters, who also include former defence minister Francois Leotard.

85.  Last Monday, former defence minister and powerful party cadre Qin Jiwei, who died early this month, was burned at the same crematorium.

86.  Meanwhile former French defence minister Francois Leotard warned Thursday against moving closer to NATO without obtaining guarantees from the United States.

87.  Mestiri met former defence minister Ahmad Shah Masood, a strongman in the presidential camp Saturday and discussed the Talibans, sources said.

88.  Mestiri was due to meet President Burhanuddin Rabbani, acting foreign minister Najibullah Lafrai and possibly former defence minister Ahmed Shah Masood, defence ministry sources said.

89.  Meanwhile, former Israeli defence minister Ariel Sharon revealed that the Israeli army no longer includes the Golan Heights as part of its defence strategy.

90.  Military ruler General Sani Abacha, a former defence minister, used the unrest to seize power in a coup in November last year.