"Reconstruction work is not possible while the fighting is going on or while the insurgents have been in charge of the town. But once it's back in government hands, we'll be able to get on with these projects very quickly."

"Clearly, the continuation of the fighting creates concerns and complicates that. So alongside the movement toward deployment has been an effort to try to get the parties to abide by the cease-fire."

"They report that the conditions of detention are fine and that the people are in good health."

"At least 27 American citizens have been abducted along the border over the past six months."

"Ms Tanaka said she understood the need for the United States to pursue this area, to conduct the research,"

"We're told the session was useful. Preliminary reporting indicates that they made some progress."

"What we're trying to do now is get the parameters accepted in a way where the reservations are reconcilable and, therefore, we know that both sides are in a position to negotiate seriously."

"We are actively considering all these legal issues and trying to work with the other governments involved to make sure that their concerns are satisfied,"

"The steps that need to be taken now are steps by Chairman Arafat to stop the violence,"