(0000 (financial) 
     (BANK OF JAPAN INTERVENES IN EARLY TOKYO AFTERNOON)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 1)
     (The Bank of Japan intervened in the market in the early afternoon *comma* buying dollars around 147 *period* 30 yen and continuing to buy them as high as 147 *period* 50 yen *comma* dealers said *period* The Bank intervened just after the dollar started rising on buying by securities houses at around 147 *period* 05 yen *comma* and hoped to accelerate the dollar *apostrophe* s advance *comma* they said *period* The dollar rose as high as 147 *period* 50 yen *period* REUTER))

(0001 (organic) 
     (MALAYSIA CUTS GAZETTED RUBBER PRICE)
     (KUALA LUMPUR *comma* April 1)
     (Malaysia said it cut the gazetted price of rubber to 202 *dash* 7 *slash* 8 cents per kg from 213 *dash* 1 *slash* 2 cents in March *comma* effective immediately *period* No export duty is applicable at this level *comma* against 3 *slash* 8 cent per kg last month *comma* because the government raised the export duty threshold price to 210 cents per kg in early 1985 *period* The cess for rubber research and replanting remained unchanged at 3 *period* 85 and 9 *period* 92 cents per kg respectively *period* REUTER))

(0002 (organic) 
     (MALAYSIA RAISES PALM OIL EXPORT DUTIES)
     (KUALA LUMPUR *comma* April 1)
     (The Malaysian government said it raised the export duty on processed palm oil *lparen* ppo *rparen* to 70 *period* 90 ringgit per tonne from 64 *period* 06 in March *comma* effective today *period* Export duty on crude palm oil *lparen* cpo *rparen* rose to 38 *period* 30 ringgit per tonne from 16 *period* 06 last month *period* The gazetted price for ppo rose to 819 *period* 6600 ringgit per tonne from 796 *period* 8604 a month earlier and that on cpo to 711 *period* 0037 ringgit from 617 *period* 8238 *period* The export duty and gazetted price of palm kernel stood unchanged at 191 *period* 15 and 955 *period* 75 ringgit per tonne respectively *period* REUTER))

(0003 (financial) 
     (CURRENCY INSTABILITY WILL NOT LAST *dash* SUMITA)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 1)
     (Bank of Japan Governor Satoshi Sumita said the present foreign exchange market instability will not last long as there is caution in the market regarding the rapid decline of the U *period* S *period* Unit *period* He told reporters the major currency nations are determined to continue their concerted intervention whenever necessary to stave off speculative dollar selling in line with their February 22 currency stability agreement in Paris *period* Sumita also said he did not see the recent dollar drop as anything like a free *dash* fall *period* REUTER))

(0004 (financial) 
     (GERMAN 2 *period* 2 PCT GROWTH AVERAGE SEEN TO 1991)
     (DUESSELDORF *comma* April 1)
     (The economy will grow by an average rate of 2 *period* 2 pct a year in real terms between now and the end of 1991 *comma* Westdeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale *lparen* WestLB *rparen* said in an annual report *period* A year ago WestLB had forecast average growth of just under three pct for 1986 *dash* 1990 *period* The 1987 report said gross national product would only expand a real 1 *period* 7 pct this year *dash* *dash* below previous expectations *dash* *dash* because of weaker exports *period* Growth rates will pick up later *comma* however *comma* producing a 2 *period* 2 pct increase on average for the five *dash* year period *period* MORE))

(0005 (financial) 
     (ALCOA AUSTRALIA PLANS 100 MLN AUS DLR FACILITY)
     (HONG KONG *comma* April 1)
     (The is planning a 100 mln Australian dlr note issuance facility *comma* lead manager Westpac Finance Asia Ltd said *period* The three year facility is half underwritten and half non *dash* underwritten *period* The underwriting margin is 10 basis points over Australian dlr bank bill rate and the underwriting fee is 7 *period* 5 basis points *period* There is an issuance fee of 2 *period* 5 basis points and an utilisation fee of 7 *period* 5 basis points if the underwriters are required to pick up 51 pct or more of the notes issued *period* The notes *comma* in denominations of 100 *comma* 000 dlrs *comma* will have maturities ranging from one to six months *period* REUTER))

(0006 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET OFFERED EARLY ASSISTANCE)
     (LONDON *comma* April 1)
     (The Bank of England said it had invited an early round of bill offers from the discount houses after forecasting a shortage of around 1 *period* 2 billion stg in the money market today *period* Among the main factors affecting liquidity *comma* bills for repurchase by the market will drain some 526 mln stg while bills maturing in official hands and the take *dash* up of treasury bills will remove around 1 *period* 79 billion stg *period* A rise in note circulation will take out a further 105 mln stg *period* Partly offsetting these outflows *comma* exchequer transactions will add around 1 *period* 01 billion stg and bankers *apostrophe* balances above target some 185 mln stg *period* REUTER))

(0007 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET GIVEN 689 MLN STG EARLY HELP)
     (LONDON *comma* April 1)
     (The Bank of England said it had provided the money market with early assistance of 689 mln stg in response to an early round of bill offers from the discount houses *period* This compares with the Bank *apostrophe* s estimate that the system would face a shortage of around 1 *period* 2 billion stg today *period* The central bank made outright purchases of bank bills comprising 347 mln stg in band one at 9 *dash* 7 *slash* 8 pct *comma* 207 mln stg in band two at 9 *dash* 13 *slash* 16 pct and 135 mln stg in band three at 9 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct *period* REUTER))

(0008 (organic) 
     (U *period* K *period*  INTERVENTION FEED WHEAT TENDER RESULT AWAITED)
     (LONDON *comma* April 1)
     (Grain traders said they were still awaiting results of yesterday *apostrophe* s U *period* K *period* Intervention feed wheat tender for the home market *period* The market sought to buy 340 *comma* 000 tonnes *comma* more than double the remaining 150 *comma* 000 tonnes available under the current tender *period* However *comma* some of the tonnage included duplicate bids for supplies in the same stores *period* Since the tenders started last July 861 *comma* 000 tonnes of British feed wheat have been sold back to the home market *period* REUTER))

(0009 (organic) 
     (SUGAR TRADERS FORECAST LIKELY EC SUGAR REBATE)
     (LONDON *comma* April 1)
     (London traders say the European Community is likely to award a maximum rebate of 46 *period* 80 European currency units per 100 kilos at today *apostrophe* s tender *comma* while traders in Paris predict a maximum award of 46 *period* 40 Ecus *period* Last week the EC awarded licences for 59 *comma* 000 tonnes at a rebate of 45 *period* 678 Ecus *period* Trade views differed on the amount of sugar likely to be released today *period* London traders said the EC Commission will probably endeavour to release a large tonnage *comma* and as much as 100 *comma* 000 tonnes may be authorised for export under licences up to end *dash* September *period* Paris traders put the likely tonnage at around 60 *comma* 000 *period* REUTER))

(0010 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET SHORTAGE FORECAST REVISED UP)
     (LONDON *comma* April 1)
     (The Bank of England said it had revised its estimate of the shortage in the money market up to 1 *period* 3 billion stg from 1 *period* 2 billion before taking account of its early operations *period* The Bank has provided 689 mln stg assistance so far today *period* REUTER))

(0011 (organic) 
     (U *period* K *period*  INTERVENTION FEED WHEAT SOLD TO HOME MARKET)
     (LONDON *comma* April 1)
     (A total of 126 *comma* 031 tonnes of U *period* K *period* Intervention feed wheat was sold to the home market at this week *apostrophe* s tender *comma* provisional results show *comma* the Home Grown Cereals Authority *lparen* HGCA *rparen* *comma* said *period* Actual prices were not reported but the wheat was sold at *comma* or above *comma* the March intervention price of 119 *period* 17 stg per tonne *period* Grain traders sought to buy about 340 *comma* 000 tonnes *period* REUTER))

(0012 (organic) 
     (SRI LANKA TO UPGRADE QUALITY OF COCONUT PRODUCTS)
     (COLOMBO *comma* April 1)
     (The Sri Lankan cabinet approved recommendations to upgrade the quality of coconut fibre products *comma* the government said *period* It said the recommendations also suggested that encouragement be given for the manufacture of value *dash* added products from coconut fibre and a market development programme be launched for traditional and value *dash* added products *period* It also suggested the setting up of a marketing mission on coconut fibre to be sent this month to principal target markets *period* Sri Lanka is the world *apostrophe* s second largest exporter of dessicated coconut after the Philippines *period* REUTER))

(0013 (organic) 
     (ROTTERDAM GRAIN HANDLERS STAGE LIGHTNING STRIKES)
     (ROTTERDAM *comma* April 1)
     (Lightning strikes hit the grain sector of the port of Rotterdam today after employers turned down union demands for shorter working hours in a new labour agreement *comma* transport union FNV spokesman Bert Duim said *period* Around 140 grain handlers stopped work *comma* 125 of them at the two Europoort locations of Graan Elevator Mij *lparen* GEM *rparen* *comma* which handles about 95 pct of grain *comma* oilseeds and derivatives passing through Rotterdam *period* GEM managing director Pieter van der Vorm said the facilities were 40 pct operational *period* The employers had invited the unions for talks later today *comma* but details of the labour agreement would not be on the agenda *comma* Van der Vorm said *period* It is barely one month since the end of an eight *dash* week campaign of lightning strikes against redundancies in Rotterdam *apostrophe* s general cargo sector *comma* which stevedoring companies said cost them millions of guilders *period* REUTER))

(0014 (financial) 
     (CURRENCY INSTABILITY WILL NOT LAST *dash* SUMITA)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 1)
     (Bank of Japan Governor Satoshi Sumita said the present foreign exchange market instability will not last long as there is caution in the market regarding the rapid decline of the U *period* S *period* Unit *period* He told reporters the major currency nations are determined to continue their concerted intervention whenever necessary to stave off speculative dollar selling in line with their February 22 currency stability agreement in Paris *period* Sumita also said he did not see the recent dollar drop as anything like a free *dash* fall *period* REUTER))

(0015 (organic) 
     (CEREALS MCAS TO BE UNCHANGED NEXT WEEK)
     (BRUSSELS *comma* April 1)
     (Monetary compensatory amounts *comma* MCA *apostrophe* s *comma* will be unchanged for the week starting April 6 *comma* EC Commission officials said *period* Cereals MCA *apostrophe* s are plus 2 *period* 4 points for West Germany and the Netherlands *comma* minus two points for Denmark *comma* minus eight points for France *comma* minus nine for Ireland *comma* minus 5 *period* 7 for Italy *comma* minus 25 *period* 7 for Britain *comma* minus 44 *period* 1 for Greece and minus 10 *period* 5 for Spain *period* Reuter))

(0016 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET DEFICIT REVISED DOWNWARDS)
     (LONDON *comma* April 1)
     (The Bank of England said it has revised its estimate of today *apostrophe* s shortfall to around 1 *period* 25 billion stg from 1 *period* 3 billion before taking account of 775 mln stg morning assistance *period* REUTER))

(0017 (organic) 
     (FAO APPROVES EMERGENCY FOOD AID FOR ETHIOPIA)
     (ROME *comma* April 1)
     (The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization *comma* FAO *comma* said it approved emergency food aid worth more than 14 *period* 3 mln dlrs for drought victims in Ethiopia *period* The aid will include 30 *comma* 000 tonnes of wheat and 1 *comma* 200 tonnes of vegetable oil for farmers in the Wollo and Illubabor regions *period* FAO said it has also approved more than 1 *period* 4 mln dlrs of food aid for 8 *comma* 000 families in Sri Lanka *period* In addition *comma* 583 *comma* 225 dlrs of aid will be made available to Malawi to feed 96 *comma* 700 people displaced from Mozambique and a further 340 *comma* 200 dlrs for cyclone victims in Vanuatu in the South Pacific *period* Reuter))

(0018 (financial) 
     (UNION CARBIDE UNIT TO BUY BACK NOTES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 1)
     (Union Carbide Overseas Finance Corp N *period* V *period* *comma* a unit of Union Carbide Corp *comma* said it plans to redeem on May one all outstanding 14 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct notes due May 1 *comma* 1989 *period* The notes will be bought back at par *period* Interest will cease to accrue on May one *comma* the unit said *period* Reuter))

(0019 (organic) 
     (ARGENTINE GRAIN SHIPPING SITUATION)
     (BUENOS AIRES *comma* April 1)
     (One grain vessel was awaiting berth at Bahia Blanca *comma* four at Buenos Aires and five at Rosario *comma* on March 31 *comma* National Grain Board figures show *period* The situation at these ports was as follows *comma* giving the number of ships loading *comma* awaiting berth and expected respectively *period* Bahia Blanca *dash* 4 *comma* 1 *comma* 1 Buenos Aires *dash* 1 *comma* 4 *comma* 9 Rosario *dash* 6 *comma* 5 *comma* 7 The tonnage of grain and oilseeds to be loaded onto ships loading *comma* awaiting berth and expected at each port was as follows *period* Bahia Blanca *dash* Wheat 161 *comma* 360 *period* Buenos Aires *dash* Maize 104 *comma* 304 *comma* Wheat 14 *comma* 330 *period* Rosario *dash* Wheat 50 *comma* 400 *comma* maize 157 *comma* 040 *comma* subproducts 50 *comma* 100 *comma* sunflowerseed 1 *comma* 000 and millet 3 *comma* 100 *period* REUTER))

(0020 (financial) 
     (BANK NEW ENGLAND FILES NOTE OFFERING)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 1)
     (Bank of New England Corp said it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement covering a 200 mln dlr issue of subordinated capital notes due 1999 *period* Proceeds will be used primarily to retire short *dash* term debt *comma* finance possible acquisitions and fund investments in or extensions of credit to its subsidiaries *comma* the company said *period* Bank of New England said Morgan Stanley *comma* Keefe Bruyette *comma* Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch will underwrite the issue *period* Reuter))

(0021 (organic) 
     (MIDWEST CASH GRAIN *dash* SLOW COUNTRY MOVEMENT)
     (CHICAGO *comma* April 1)
     (Cash grain dealers reported slow country movement of corn and soybeans across the Midwest *comma* with even corn sales from PIK *dash* and *dash* roll activity seen earlier this week drying up *period* Some dealers said the USDA may further adjust the posted county price at the Gulf to take into account high barge freight rates as a way to keep corn sales flowing *comma* but added the current plan probably will be given a few weeks to see if it will work as hoped *period* Corn and soybean basis values continued to drop on the Illinois and MidMississippi River due to the strong barge freight rates *period* Toledo and Chicago elevators were finishing loading the first corn boats of the new shipping season *comma* supporting spot basis values at those terminal points *period* Reuter))

(0022 (financial) 
     (TURKISH CENTRAL BANK SETS LIRA *slash* DOLLAR *comma*  DM RATES)
     (ANKARA *comma* April 1)
     (The Turkish Central Bank set a lira *slash* dollar rate for April 2 of 780 *period* 00 *slash* 783 *period* 90 to the dollar *comma* down from the previous 777 *period* 00 *slash* 780 *period* 89 *period* The Bank also set a lira *slash* mark rate of 429 *period* 15 *slash* 431 *period* 30 to the mark *comma* up from the previous 430 *period* 50 *slash* 432 *period* 65 *period* REUTER))

(0023 (metal) 
     (ASARCO LOWERS COPPER PRICE 1 *period* 50 CTS TO 67 CTS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 1)
     (Asarco Inc said it is decreasing its domestic delivered copper cathode price by 1 *period* 50 cents to 67 *period* 0 cents a lb *comma* effective immediately *period* Reuter))

(0024 (financial) 
     (FED BUYS ONE BILLION DLRS OF BILLS FOR CUSTOMER)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 1)
     (The Federal Reserve is buying one billion dlrs of Treasury bills for customer account for delivery today *comma* a spokesman for the bank said *period* Fed funds were trading at 6 *dash* 3 *slash* 16 pct at the time of the purchase *comma* which came several hours before the Fed normally transacts business for its customers *period* Economists said the purchase was almost certainly related to the investment of proceeds from recent central bank intervention in the foreign exchanges *period* The Bank of Japan alone is estimated to have bought about six billion dlrs in March in a bid to prop up the dollar *period* Reuter))

(0025 (organic) 
     (U *period* S *period*  LARD CONSUMPTION IN FEBRUARY)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 1)
     (U *period* S *period* factory usage of lard in the production of both edible and inedible products during February totaled 22 *period* 0 mln lbs *comma* vs a revised 20 *period* 2 mln lbs in January *comma* according to Census Bureau figures *period* In the year *dash* earlier period *comma* usage *comma* which includes hydrogenated vegetable and animal fats and other oils in process *comma* amounted to 31 *period* 4 mln lbs *period* Usage in February comprised 16 *period* 6 mln lbs of edible products and 5 *period* 4 mln lbs of inedible products *period* Total lard usage in the 1986 *slash* 87 marketing season *comma* which began October 1 *comma* amounted to 125 *period* 2 mln lbs *comma* vs 185 *period* 6 mln lbs in the year *dash* ago period *period* Reuter))

(0026 (financial) 
     (FINLAND REVISES CURRENCY BASKET)
     (HELSINKI *comma* April 1)
     (The Bank of Finland said it has revised the weightings in its currency basket with effect from today *period* Weightings match the respective country *apostrophe* s share in Finland *apostrophe* s foreign trade *period* Weights in percentages compared with former weights *period* Dollar 9 *period* 0 *lparen* 8 *period* 8 *rparen* Sterling 14 *period* 3 *lparen* 13 *period* 8 *rparen* Swedish crown 20 *period* 4 *lparen* 20 *period* 6 *rparen* Norwegian crown 5 *period* 2 *lparen* 5 *period* 2 *rparen* Danish crown 5 *period* 2 *lparen* 5 *period* 3 *rparen* German mark 19 *period* 3 *lparen* 19 *period* 6 *rparen* REUTER^M))

(0027 (metal) 
     (MOUNTAIN STATES ADDES TWO PROPERTIES)
     (SALT LAKE CITY *comma* April 1)
     (Mountain States Resources Corp said it acquired two properties to its strategic minerals holdings *period* The acquisitions bring to its land position a total of 5 *comma* 100 acres of titanium *comma* zirconium and rare earth resources *comma* the company said *period* Both properties *comma* located in southern Utah *comma* consist of approximately 1 *comma* 430 acres of unpatented mining claims and one state lease *comma* it said *period* The company also announced the formation of Rare Tech Minerals Inc *comma* a wholly *dash* owned subsidiary *period* Reuter))

(0028 (organic) 
     (KAINES CONFIRMS WHITE SUGAR SALES TO INDIA)
     (LONDON *comma* April 1)
     (London *dash* based sugar operator Kaines Ltd confirmed it sold two cargoes of white sugar to India out of an estimated overall sales total of four or five cargoes in which other brokers participated *period* The sugar *comma* for April *slash* May and April *slash* June shipment *comma* was sold at between 214 and 218 dlrs a tonne cif *comma* it said *period* Reuter))

(0029 (metal) 
     (MOUNTAIN STATES ADDS TWO MINERALS PROPERTIES)
     (SALT LAKE CITY *comma* April 1)
     (Mountain States Resources Corp said it acquired two properties to add to its strategic minerals holdings *period* The acquisitions include a total of 5 *comma* 100 acres of titanium *comma* zirconium and rare earth resources *comma* the company said *period* Both properties *comma* located in southern Utah *comma* consist of approximately 1 *comma* 430 acres of unpatented mining claims and one state lease *comma* it said *period* The company also announced the formation of Rare Tech Minerals Inc *comma* a wholly *dash* owned subsidiary *period* Reuter))

(0030 (organic) 
     (SHULTZ USSR TRIP FUELS TALK OF EEP WHEAT OFFER)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 1)
     (Speculation the United States will offer subsidized wheat to the Soviet Union appears to have reached a new level of intensity in the run *dash* up to Secretary of State George Shultz *apostrophe* visit later this month to Moscow *period* Rumors of an impending deal have coursed through wheat markets since officials from the two countries held their customary *comma* semi *dash* annual grain talks in February *period* Moscow *apostrophe* s decision at that time to reenter the U *period* S *period* corn market strengthened the perception of warming farm trade prospects *period* Shultz is set to arrive in Moscow April 13 *period* Reuter))

(0031 (metal) 
     (CYPRUS LOWERS COPPER PRICE 1 *period* 25 CTS TO 67 CTS)
     (DENVER *comma* April 1)
     (Cyprus Minerals Company said it is decreasing its electrolytic copper cathode price by 1 *period* 25 cents to 67 *period* 0 cents a pound *comma* effective immediately *period* Reuter))

(0032 (organic) 
     (ARGENTINE CORN SALES TO USSR LOWER *dash* USDA REPORT)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 1)
     (Total corn sales by Argentina to the Soviet Union are only 1 *period* 5 to 1 *period* 8 mln tonnes *comma* with delivery spread out from March to June *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department *apostrophe* s Counselor in Buenos Aires said in a field report *period* The report *comma* dated March 27 *comma* said many sources have stated that the Soviet Union was initially interested in purchasing 2 *period* 3 mln tonnes lof corn from Argentina *period* However *comma* Soviet purchases from the United States have tended to displace additional Argentine purchases *comma* the report said *period* The USDA has to date reported USSR purchases of 2 *period* 6 mln tonnes of U *period* S *period* corn for delivery in the current U *period* S *period* *dash* USSR grain agreement year *comma* which ends this September 30 *comma* it said *period* Reuter))

(0033 (financial) 
     (BROWN GROUP DEBT DOWNGRADED BY S *slash* P)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 1)
     (Standard and Poor *apostrophe* s Corp said it lowered 128 mln dlrs of Brown Group Inc *apostrophe* s senior debt to A *dash* minus from A and commercial paper to A *dash* 2 from A *dash* 1 *period* The agency said a decline in sales and profits were little offset from the company *apostrophe* s retail business *period* Also *comma* foreign producers eroded Brown *apostrophe* s assets by gaining market share *period* Brown *apostrophe* s debt ratio increased to 49 *period* 8 pct by year *dash* end 1986 as higher inventories *comma* and a four *dash* year stock repurchase program has required additional financing *comma* S and P said *period* Restructuring efforts should improve productivity but not in the forseeable future *comma* the agency added *period* Reuter))

(0034 (organic) 
     (JAPANESE CRUSHERS BUY CANADIAN RAPESEED)
     (WINNIPEG *comma* April 1)
     (Japanese crushers bought 5 *comma* 000 to 6 *comma* 000 tonnes of Canadian rapeseed for May shipment in export business overnight *comma* trade sources said *period* Reuter))

(0035 (organic) 
     (GRAIN SHIPS WAITING AT NEW ORLEANS)
     (New Orleans *comma* April 1)
     (Ten grain ships were loading and 18 were waiting to load at New Orleans elevators *comma* trade sources said *period* ELEVATOR LOADING WAITING Continental Grain *comma* Westwego 1 3 Mississippi River *comma* Myrtle Grove 2 0 ADM Growmark 1 4 Bunge Grain *comma* Destrehan 1 0 ELEVATOR LOADING WAITING ST CHARLES DESTREHAN 1 3 RESERVE ELEVATOR CORP 0 1 PEAVEY CO *comma* ST ELMO 1 2 CARGILL GRAIN *comma* TERRE HAUTE 1 4 CARGILL GRAIN *comma* PORT ALLEN 1 0 ZEN *dash* NOH 1 1 reuter))

(0036 (organic) 
     (EC SUGAR IMPORT LEVIES)
     (BRUSSELS *comma* April 1)
     (The following import levies for white and raw sugar are effective tomorrow *comma* in European currency units *lparen* ecu *rparen* per 100 kilos *period* White sugar *comma* denatured and non *dash* denatured 51 *period* 94 versus 51 *period* 36 previously *period* Raw sugar *comma* denatured and non *dash* denatured 44 *period* 05 versus 43 *period* 69 previously *period* The rate for raws is based on 92 pct yield *period* Reuter))

(0037 (organic) 
     (BRITISH SUGAR SOWINGS OFF TO SLOW START)
     (LONDON *comma* April 1)
     (Drilling of this year *apostrophe* s British sugar beet crop got off to a slow start due to poor weather conditions with only around one pct sown so far *comma* a spokesman for British Sugar Plc said *period* This compares with two pct at the same stage last year *comma* three pct in 1985 and 38 to 39 pct in 1984 *period* There is little cause for concern with better weather forecast and the capacity available to drill the contracted area of around 200 *comma* 000 hectares in about 10 days *period* Seed beds look good and farmers are advised to wait for soil temperatures to rise *comma* the spokesman said *period* *quote* If the crop can be drilled by the third week in April we will be delighted *comma* *quote* he said *period* Last year a large proportion of the crop was not drilled until May but it still turned out to be the equal second largest on record *period* Reuter))

(0038 (organic) 
     (ICO TALKS SET TO END WITH NO QUOTA DEBATE)
     (LONDON *comma* April 1)
     (The International Coffee Organization executive board meeting will end tomorrow without any move to reopen the debate on restoring coffee export quotas *comma* delegates said *period* Talks have focused on administrative matters and verification of stocks in producer countries *comma* they said *period* Producers met briefly today to exchange views on the market situation but there seems little chance discussion on quotas will begin much before the ICO *apostrophe* s annual council session in September *comma* they said *period* Delegates earlier thought the meeting would end tonight *comma* but a further session is scheduled tomorrow at 1030 GMT to complete reports on stock verification *period* Meantime *comma* the executive board will meet May 12 to discuss possible action on the consultancy report on the ICO presented today to the board *comma* consumer delegates said *period* Reuter))

(0039 (financial) 
     (FED BUYS 550 MLN DLRS OF BILLS FOR CUSTOMER)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 1)
     (The Federal Reserve bought about 550 mln dlrs of U *period* S *period* Treasury bills for a customer *comma* a spokeswoman said *period* She said the Fed bought bills maturing from May through September 24 for regular delivery tomorrow *period* Federal funds were trading at 6 *dash* 3 *slash* 16 pct when the Fed announced the operation *period* Reuter))

(0040 (organic) 
     (U *period* S *period*  FARM REORGANIZATIONS PROVING COSTLY *dash* GAO)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 1)
     (U *period* S *period* farmers who reorganize their operations to circumvent a cap on federal payments could add 2 *period* 3 billion dlrs to the cost of the government *apostrophe* s agricultural programs by 1989 *comma* the General Accounting Office *comma* GAO *comma* said *period* *quote* We estimate that should the trend in farm reorganizations continue *comma* reorganizations since 1984 could be adding almost 900 mln dlrs annually to program costs by 1989 *comma* *quote* GAO Senior Associate Director Brian Crowley said *period* *quote* Cumulative costs for the six *dash* year period *comma* 1984 to 1989 *comma* could approach 2 *period* 3 billion dlrs *comma* *quote* he said *period* Between 1984 and 1986 *comma* reorganizations added almost 9 *comma* 000 new persons to U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department payment rolls *comma* Crowley told the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Wheat *comma* Soybeans and Feedgrains *period* Reuter))

(0041 (metal) 
     (MAGMA LOWERS COPPER PRICE 0 *period* 25 CT TO 65 *period* 50 CTS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 1)
     (Magma Copper Co *comma* a subsidiary of Newmont Mining Corp *comma* said it is lowering its copper cathode price by 0 *period* 25 cent to 65 *period* 50 cents a lb *comma* effective immediately *period* Reuter))

(0042 (metal) 
     (INSPIRATION LOWERS COPPER PRICE TO 66 *period* 50 CTS *slash* LB)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 1)
     (Inspiration Consolidated Copper Co *comma* a subsidiary of Inspiration Resources Corp *comma* said it is lowering its base price for full *dash* plate copper cathodes one *dash* half cent to 66 *period* 50 cents a lb *comma* effective immediately *period* Reuter))

(0043 (metal) 
     (COMEX RAISES MARGINS FOR SILVER FUTURES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 1)
     (The Commodity Exchange Inc said it is increasing the minimum margins for silver futures contracts *comma* effective at the opening of business Thursday *comma* April 2 *period* The margins for speculative trading will be increased to 2 *comma* 000 dlrs per contract from 1 *comma* 300 dlrs and trade hedge margins will rise to 1 *comma* 400 dlrs from 900 dlrs *comma* the Comex said *period* Margins are unchanged for gold *comma* copper *comma* and aluminum contracts *comma* it said *period* Reuter))

(0044 (organic) 
     (ESTIMATED U *period* S *period*  POULTRY SLAUGHTER)
     (KANSAS CITY *comma* April 1 )
     (The United States department of agriculture estimated live poultry slaughter for the week ending April 1 as follows *comma* in thousands *dash* Current Previous Class week week Bro *slash* Fry 92 *comma* 552 95 *comma* 563 Lt Fowl 2 *comma* 840 3 *comma* 354 Hvy Fowl 651 789 Check Total 96 *comma* 043 99 *comma* 706 Reuter))

(0045 (organic) 
     (EGYPT AUTHORIZED TO BUY PL 480 WHEAT FLOUR-USDA)
     (WASHINGON *comma* April 1)
     (Egypt has been authorized to purchase about 125 *comma* 000 tonnes of U *period* S *period* wheat flour under an existing PL 480 agreement *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* It may buy the wheat flour *comma* valued at 23 *period* 0 mln dlrs between April 8 and August 31 *comma* 1987 and ship it by September 30 *comma* the department said *period* Reuter))

(0046 (organic) 
     (CCC SELLS FARMERS STOCK PEANUTS *comma*  OFFERS MORE)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 1)
     (The U *period* S *period* Commodity Credit Corporation *lparen* CCC *rparen* sold 6 *comma* 034 short tons of 1986 *dash* crop farmers stock peanuts for domestic crushing *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* The peanuts were from the Southwest area and were sold at between 8 *period* 05 cts per lb *lparen* total kernel content *rparen* *comma* and 11 *period* 7225 cts per lb *comma* the department said *period* The CCC will offering additional 1986 *dash* peanuts for sale at a later date *comma* the department said *period* Reuter))

(0047 (organic) 
     (STRONG DEMAND FOR U *period* S *period*  CORN IN JAPAN -- USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 1)
     (Japan appears to be relying less on corn from China *comma* Argentina and South Africa and more on supplies from the United States *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* In its World Production and Trade report *comma* the department said in the past seven weeks reported U *period* S *period* corn sales of nearly three mln tonnes to Japan are about three times the level during this period last year *period* Reports of short Argentine supplies and the apparent unwillingness of the Chinese to sell at current world prices may have caused Japanese buyers to turn to the United States for corn supplies *comma* the department said *period* Reuter))

(0048 (petro) 
     (BP RAISES NORTH SEA BUTANE PRICES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 1)
     (British Petroleum Co plc said it raised its posted butane prices by 15 *period* 50 dlrs per tonne to 123 dlrs *comma* fob north sea *comma* effective today *period* Posted propane prices were unchanged at 110 dlrs per tonne *comma* the company said *period* Reuter))

(0049 (organic) 
     (NEW ZEALAND MAY BUY U *period* S *period*  WHEAT -- USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 1)
     (New Zealand may need about 100 *comma* 000 tonnes of wheat this year *comma* which would normally come from Australia *comma* but may be from the United States *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* In its report on Export Markets for U *period* S *period* Grains *comma* the department said with the deregulation of the New Zealand Wheat Board *comma* which normally imports wheat from Australia *comma* there is the possibility of wheat purchases from the united states since the shipping cost between New Zealand and the Eastern Coast of Australia and the West Coast of the United States are about equal *period* Reuter))

(0050 (organic) 
     (USDA REPORT ON CATTLE SLAUGHTER *comma*  MEAT PURCHASES)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 1)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said an estimated 8 *comma* 700 head of dairy cattle were slaughtered during the week ending March 13 as a result of the Whole Herd Dairy Buyout program *period* The cumulative total of cattle slaughtered under the program from April 1 through March 13 is estimated at 1 *comma* 032 *comma* 300 head *comma* it said *period* Cumulative meat purchases through March 27 total 376 *comma* 897 *comma* 330 lbs *comma* the department said *period* Dairy cattle reported for export under the program for the period April 1 through March 27 totaled an estimated 55 *comma* 055 head *comma* the department said *period* Live cattle exports are in addition to the meat purchase requirements *comma* the department said *period* Reuter))

(0051 (organic) 
     (USDA GRAIN INSPECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 1)
     (The Federal Grain Inspection Service Advisory Committee will meet here Monday *comma* April 13 *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* Items on the agenda for the meeting *comma* which is scheduled to begin at 0830 edt *comma* are grain *dash* quality issues *comma* status of proposed regulations *comma* financial matters and safety matters *comma* the department said *period* The Federal Grain Inspection Service Advisory Committee is composed of 12 members representing the grain industry who provide advice to the administrator of the Federal Grain Inspection Service *period* Reuter))

(0052 (organic) 
     (MEXICO BUYS 51 *comma* 000 TONNES U *period* S *period*  SOYBEANS)
     (KANSAS CITY *comma* April 1)
     (Mexico bought 51 *comma* 000 tonnes of U *period* S *period* number two yellow soybeans in an overnight tender *comma* for various ocean and rail shipments in May *comma* private export sources said *period* About 40 *comma* 000 tonnes sold for ocean shipment at prices ranging from 199 *period* 67 to 210 *period* 17 dlrs per tonne *comma* c and f *comma* and about 11 *comma* 000 tonnes sold for rail shipment at prices from 205 *period* 50 to 217 *period* 88 dlrs per tonne *comma* they said *period* Reuter))

(0053 (organic) 
     (N *period* Y *period*  GRAIN FREIGHTS *dash* April 1)
     (Tradax took Y *period* S *period* Tonnage 52 *comma* 000 tonnes U *period* S *period* Gulf to Japan
early May dates 16 *period* 00 dlrs 11 days all purposes
 Tradax took Dimitrios 76 *comma* 000 tonnes any grains 4 *comma* 952 *comma* 000
grain cubics U *period* S *period* Gulf to Holland May 1)
     (*dash* 10 8 *period* 50 dlrs 12 days all purposes ADM took Ymuiden Maru 93 *comma* 500 tonnes DWCC 4 *comma* 726 *comma* 937 grain cubics U *period* S *period* Gulf to Holland April 20 *dash* 30 lumpsum 675 *comma* 000 dlrs 11 days all purposes Dreyfus took Golden Crown 20 *comma* 000 tonnes U *period* S *period* Gulf to East Coast Mexico April 6 *dash* 10 10 *period* 00 dlrs 1 *comma* 500 discharge Marubeni took NYK TBNs 52 *comma* 000 tonnes HSS seven times U *period* S *period* Gulf to Japan July 1987 *dash* January 1988 dates 14 *period* 25 dlrs 9 *comma* 000 load 6 *comma* 500 discharge reuter))

(0054 (financial) 
     (MEXICO RECIEVES FIRST 250 MLN DLRS OF JAPAN LOAN)
     (Mexico city *comma* april 1)
     (mexico today received the first 250 mln dlrs of a 500 mln dlr credit from japan *apostrophe* s eximbank aimed at financing a mexican oil pipeline project *comma* the finance ministry announced *period* The funds will be used in the 700 mln dlr pacific petroleum project *comma* which includes the construction of a 267 *dash* klm *lparen* 160 *period* 2 *dash* mile *rparen* pipeline connecting nuevo teapa in the oil *dash* rich state of veracruz and salina cruz *comma* oaxaca on the pacific coast *period* The project aims to facilitate mexican oil exports to japan and the far east and is expected to be completed in three years *period* Reuter))

(0055 (organic) 
     (EXOTIC NEWCASTLE DISEASE IN MD *slash* NEW YORK-USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 1)
     (Exotic Newcastle *comma* a highly contagious disease of pet birds and poultry *comma* has been confirmed in two pet *dash* bird dealer facilities in Maryland *comma* and New York *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* The department said no domestic poultry are involved in the outbreak *period* State quarantines have been placed on the two facilities *comma* in Hunt Valley *comma* Maryland *comma* and Schenectady *comma* New York *period* The most serious U *period* S *period* outbreak of the disease occurred in 1971 *dash* 73 in southern California *comma* where the disease spread from infected pet birds to a dense poultry population and nearly 12 mln birds *comma* mostly laying hens *comma* were destroyed at a cost of 56 mln dlrs *comma* the department said *period* Reuter))

(0056 (financial) 
     (MEXICO RECIEVES FIRST 250 MLN DLRS OF JAPAN LOAN)
     (Mexico city *comma* april 1)
     (mexico received the first 250 mln dlrs of a 500 mln dlr credit from japan *apostrophe* s eximbank to finance a mexican oil pipeline *comma* the finance ministry announced *period* The funds will be used in the 700 mln dlr pacific petroleum project *comma* which includes the construction of a 267 *dash* km pipeline connecting nuevo teapa in the oil *dash* rich state of veracruz and salina cruz *comma* oaxaca *comma* on the pacific coast *period* The project aims to facilitate mexican oil exports to japan and the far east and is expected to be completed in three years *period* REUTER^M))

(0057 (metal) 
     (ELECTROLYTIC REFINING LOWERS COPPER PRICE)
     (MELBOURNE *comma* April 13)
     (The Electrolytic Refining and Smelting Co of Australia Pty Ltd said it lowered its ex *dash* works Port Kembla Refinery Copper Price by 20 dlrs to 2 *comma* 160 dlrs a tonne *comma* effective today *period* REUTER))

(0058 (financial) 
     (JAPAN CENTRAL BANK ACTIVELY BUYS DOLLARS IN TOKYO)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 13)
     (The Bank of Japan actively bought dollars here in early afternoon trade at around 142 *period* 20 yen *comma* dealers said *period* The central bank had placed buy orders at that level and prevented the dollar from falling when it came under heavy selling pressure from investment trusts and trading houses *comma* they said *period* However *comma* the intervention failed to boost the U *period* S *period* Currency significantly from the 142 *period* 20 yen level *comma* they added *period* The dollar was trading around its midday rate of 142 *period* 30 yen *period* It had opened here at 141 *period* 85 yen *period* REUTER))

(0059 (organic) 
     (PATON REPORTS U *period* S *period*  GREEN COFFEE ROASTINGS HIGHER)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 13)
     (U *period* S *period* roastings of green coffee in the week ended April 4 were about 275 *comma* 000 *lparen* 60 *dash* kilo *rparen* bags *comma* including that used for soluble production *comma* compared with 215 *comma* 000 bags in the corresponding week of last year and about 320 *comma* 000 bags in the week ended March 28 *comma* George Gordon Paton and Co Inc reported *period* It said cumulative roastings for calendar 1987 now total 4 *comma* 440 *comma* 000 bags *comma* compared with 4 *comma* 540 *comma* 000 bags by this time last year *period* Reuter))

(0060 (financial) 
     (CHINESE HOTEL RAISES 21 MLN DLR LOAN)
     (HONG KONG *comma* April 13)
     (A tourist hotel in Suzhou *comma* Jiangsu province *comma* is raising a 21 mln U *period* S *period* Dlr loan to cover its construction cost *comma* lead manager said *period* The loan for the Suzhou Aster Hotel will mature in 10 years and is guaranteed by the provincial investment arm *period* The terms were not revealed *period* The loan *comma* to be signed by the end of the month *comma* will be provided by a number of banks on a club basis *period* The hotel is being developed on a contractual joint venture basis between an unnamed Hong Kong Chinese investor and Suzhou municipal entities *period* REUTER))

(0061 (financial) 
     (SINGAPORE EXTERNAL TRADE GAINS 8 *period* 8 PCT IN QUARTER)
     (SINGAPORE *comma* April 13)
     (Singapore *apostrophe* s external trade grew 8 *period* 8 pct in first quarter 1987 *comma* against a 12 *period* 4 pct decline in the same period last year and two pct growth in the previous quarter *comma* the Trade Development Board said *period* It said exports over the period rose by 8 *period* 7 pct to 12 *period* 38 billion dlrs and imports by 8 *period* 9 pct to 14 *period* 64 billion for a trade deficit of 2 *period* 26 billion *comma* against a 2 *period* 06 billion deficit in the same 1986 period and 1 *period* 78 billion deficit previously *period* The growth was attributed to the strength of non *dash* oil trade *comma* especially computers and computer parts *comma* electronic components and garments *comma* it said *period* REUTER))

(0062 (financial) 
     (MALAYSIA *quote* S 1986 MANUFACTURING EXPORTS RISE 24 PCT)
     (KUALA LUMPUR *comma* April 13)
     (Malaysia *apostrophe* s manufacturing exports rose by 24 *period* 5 pct to 15 *period* 1 billion ringgit in 1986 *comma* chairman of the Export Promotion Council Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamind said *period* The improved export performance was led by electrical and electronic products *comma* textiles *comma* footwear *comma* clothing *comma* processed food *comma* timber *comma* chemical and rubber products *comma* he told a news conference *period* However *comma* total gross exports for the year declined by 5 *period* 6 pct to 35 *period* 9 billion ringgit from 38 billion in 1985 due to a fall in major commodity exports and weak prices *comma* he said *period* REUTER))

(0063 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET DEFICIT FORECAST AT 400 MLN STG)
     (LONDON *comma* April 13)
     (The Bank of England said it forecast a shortage of around 400 mln stg in the money market today *period* Among the main factors affecting liquidity *comma* bills maturing in official hands and the take *dash* up of treasury bills will drain some 1 *period* 085 billion stg *period* Partly offsetting these outflows *comma* a fall in note circulation will add some 340 mln stg *comma* exchequer transactions around 300 mln and bankers *apostrophe* balances above target about 50 mln *period* REUTER))

(0064 (financial) 
     (KENYA DEVALUES SHILLING BY 0 *period* 6 PCT AGAINST SDR)
     (NAIROBI *comma* April 13)
     (Kenya devalued the shilling by 0 *period* 6 pct against the special drawing right *lparen* SDR *rparen* in response to the decline of the dollar last last week *comma* bankers said *period* The Central Bank of Kenya set the shilling at 20 *period* 7449 to the SDR compared with the 20 *period* 6226 rate in force since the last devaluation on March 31 *period* The Kenyan shilling has lost 5 *period* 6 pct of its value against the SDR this year in a series of devaluations designed to keep the value of the dollar above 16 shillings *period* REUTER))

(0065 (metal) 
     (ST *period* GOBAIN UNIT ISSUES ECU BOND WITH GOLD WARRANTS)
     (LONDON *comma* April 13)
     (St *period* Gobain Netherlands *comma* guaranteed by Cie de St *period* Gobain *comma* is issuing a 75 mln ECU bond with gold warrants attached *comma* due May 6 *comma* 1992 carrying a 4 *dash* 1 *slash* 2 pct coupon and priced at par *comma* lead manager Salomon Brothers International Ltd said *period* Fees comprise 1 *dash* 1 *slash* 4 pct selling concession with 5 *slash* 8 pct for management and underwriting combined *period* Listing is in Luxembourg *period* Each 1 *comma* 000 ECU bond carries one gold warrant exercisable from May 6 *comma* 1987 until May 6 *comma* 1990 entitling the holder to purchase one ounce at an exercise price of 490 dlrs *period* REUTER))

(0066 (financial) 
     (BANK OF JAPAN TO SELL 800 BILLION YEN IN BILLS)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 13)
     (The Bank of Japan will sell 800 billion yen in deficit financing bills today through 51 *dash* day repurchase agreements maturing June 3 to help absorb a projected money market surplus *comma* money traders said *period* The operation will raise the outstanding supply of the bills to a record 4 *comma* 800 billion yen *period* The yield on the bills for sale to banks and securities houses from money houses will be 3 *period* 8999 pct compared with the two *dash* month commercial bill discount rate today of 3 *period* 8750 pct and the two *dash* month certificate of deposit rate of 4 *period* 13 *slash* 00 pct *period* The traders estimated the surplus today at about 1 *comma* 800 billion yen *period* They said it is mainly due to 1 *comma* 300 billion yen of government tax allocations to local governments and public entities and to excessive banking system cash holdings due to continuous large central bank dollar purchases *period* REUTER))

(0067 (financial) 
     (YIELD ON 91-DAY SAMA DEPOSITS RISES)
     (BAHRAIN *comma* April 13)
     (The yield on 91 *dash* day bankers security deposit accounts issued this week by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency *lparen* SAMA *rparen* rose to 6 *period* 43896 pct from 6 *period* 21563 a week ago *comma* bankers said *period* SAMA lowered the offer price on the 500 mln riyal issue to 98 *period* 39844 from 98 *period* 45313 last Monday *period* Like *dash* dated interbank deposits were quoted today at 6 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 *comma* 5 *slash* 8 pct *period* SAMA offers a total of 1 *period* 9 billion riyals in 30 *comma* 91 and 180 *dash* day accounts to banks in the Kingdom each week *period* REUTER))

(0068 (organic) 
     (NORTH YEMEN BOUGHT WHITE SUGAR AT TENDER *dash* TRADE)
     (LONDON *comma* April 13)
     (North Yemen at its weekend tender bought white sugar from a French operator acting on behalf of a Swiss house at 214 *period* 70 dlrs a tonne c and f *comma* traders said *period* The amount bought was not immediately available *comma* although the country had sought 30 *comma* 000 tonnes of June arrival whites *comma* they said *period* REUTER))

(0069 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET GIVEN 75 MLN STG ASSISTANCE)
     (LONDON *comma* April 13)
     (The Bank of England said it had provided the money market with 75 mln stg help in the morning session *period* This compares with the Bank *apostrophe* s estimate that the system would face a shortage of around 400 mln stg today *period* The central bank bought bank bills outright comprising two mln stg in band two at 9 *dash* 13 *slash* 16 pct *comma* 15 mln stg in band three at 9 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct and 58 mln stg in band three at 9 *dash* 11 *slash* 16 pct *period* REUTER))

(0070 (financial) 
     (JAPAN CENTRAL BANK ACTIVELY BUYS DOLLARS IN TOKYO)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 13)
     (The Bank of Japan actively bought dollars here in early afternoon trade at around 142 *period* 20 yen *comma* dealers said *period* The central bank had placed buy orders at that level and prevented the dollar from falling when it came under heavy selling pressure from investment trusts and trading houses *comma* they said *period* However *comma* the intervention failed to boost the U *period* S *period* Currency significantly from the 142 *period* 20 yen level *comma* they added *period* The dollar was trading around its midday rate of 142 *period* 30 yen *period* It had opened here at 141 *period* 85 yen *period* REUTER))

(0071 (metal) 
     (METAL BULLETIN ZINC PRODUCER PRICE)
     (LONDON *comma* April 13)
     (The London based trade journal *quote* METAL BULLETIN *apostrophe* S *quote* average producer price of good ordinary brand zinc for week ended April 10 is 790 *period* 00 dlrs per tonne *period* Reuter))

(0072 (metal) 
     (SIX KILLED IN SOUTH AFRICAN MINE)
     (JOHANNESBURG *comma* April 13)
     (Six workers were killed and four injured in an undeground rock fall at South Africa *apostrophe* s second largest gold mine today *comma* the mine owners said *period* It was the third major mine accident in the country in less than a week *period* Thirty four workers died in methane gas explosion at a coal mine last Thursday *period* Reuter))

(0073 (financial) 
     (ZAMBIA *quote* S KWACHA FALLS AT WEEKLY AUCTION)
     (LUSAKA *comma* April 13)
     (The Zambian kwacha fell at this week *apostrophe* s foreign exchange auction to 18 *period* 75 kwacha to the dollar from last week *apostrophe* s 16 *period* 95 *comma* the Bank of Zambia said *period* The rate was the lowest since the auctions resumed two weeks ago under a new two *dash* tier exchange rate system worked out with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund *period* The Bank of Zambia said it received 370 bids *comma* ranging from 13 *period* 00 to 20 *period* 75 kwacha *comma* for the six mln dlrs on offer *period* One hundred and thirty *dash* five bids were successful *period* A British High Commission spokesman said Britain would put eight mln stg into the auction at a rate of one mln a week as soon as Zambia reached a full agreement with the IMF *period* The money could be spent only on goods produced and supplied by British firms *comma* excluding luxuries and defence equipment *comma* the spokesman added *period* Reuter))

(0074 (organic) 
     (U *period* S *period*  FEEDER STEER PRICE)
     (Chicago *comma* April 13)
     (The U *period* S *period* Feeder Steer Price *comma* or USFSP *comma* as posted by the CME is calculated by Cattle Fax and represents the price used for cash settlement of the CME Feeder Cattle contract *period* The USFSP is a seven *dash* calendar *dash* day average of feeder steer prices from 27 states *comma* based on auction and direct country sales for feeder steers that weigh between 600 and 800 lbs and are estimated to grade between 60 and 80 pct choice when fed to slaughter weight *period* April 9 Previous quote 70 *period* 03 69 *period* 87 Reuter))

(0075 (financial) 
     (SWISS SIGHT DEPOSITS FALL 4 *period* 64 BILLION FRANCS)
     (ZURICH *comma* April 13)
     (Sight deposits of commercial banks at the Swiss National Bank fell 4 *period* 64 billion Swiss francs to 7 *period* 88 billion in the first 10 days of April *comma* the National Bank said *period* Foreign exchange reserves rose by 9 *period* 4 mln francs to 33 *period* 12 billion *period* Sight deposits are an important measure of money market liquidity in Switzerland *period* The National Bank said banks repaid around 5 *period* 8 billion francs of traditional central bank credit taken out to meet their end *dash* of *dash* quarter liquidity requirements *period* This was partially offset by new swap arrangements *period* Bank notes in circulation fell 440 *period* 2 mln francs to 24 *period* 48 billion while other deposits on call at the National Bank *dash* *dash* mainly government funds *dash* *dash* fell 840 *period* 5 mln francs to 941 *period* 5 mln *period* REUTER))

(0076 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET GIVEN FURTHER 68 MLN STG HELP)
     (LONDON *comma* April 13)
     (The Bank of England said it provided the market with a further 68 mln stg assistance this afternoon *comma* bringing its total assistance on the day to 143 mln stg *period* Shortly before *comma* the Bank said it had revised its estimate of the shortage up to 450 mln stg from the earlier forecast of 400 mln *period* During the afternoon *comma* the bank bought 22 mln stg of band two bank bills at 9 *dash* 13 *slash* 16 pct and two mln stg of local authority bills plus 44 mln stg of bank bills in band four at 9 *dash* 11 *slash* 16 pct *period* These rates were in all cases unchanged from previous intervention levels *period* REUTER))

(0077 (organic) 
     (HOG AND CATTLE SLAUGHTER GUESSTIMATES)
     (CHICAGO *comma* April 13)
     (Chicago Mercantile Exchange floor traders and commission house representatives are guesstimating today *apostrophe* s hog slaughter at about 280 *comma* 000 to 300 *comma* 000 head versus 294 *comma* 000 week ago and 303 *comma* 000 a year ago *period* Cattle slaughter is guesstimated at about 120 *comma* 000 to 126 *comma* 000 head versus 120 *comma* 000 week ago and 124 *comma* 000 a year ago *period* Reuter))

(0078 (organic) 
     (ROTTERDAM GRAIN HANDLER SAYS PORT BALANCE ROSE)
     (ROTTERDAM *comma* April 13)
     (Graan Elevator Mij *comma* GEM *comma* said its balance in port of grains *comma* oilseeds and derivatives rose to 146 *comma* 000 tonnes on April 11 from 111 *comma* 000 a week earlier after arrivals of 404 *comma* 000 tonnes and discharges of 369 *comma* 000 tonnes last week *period* The balance comprised 21 *comma* 000 tonnes of grains plus oilseeds and 125 *comma* 000 tonnes of derivatives *period* This week *apostrophe* s estimated arrivals total 274 *comma* 000 tonnes *comma* of which 71 *comma* 000 are grains *slash* oilseeds and 203 *comma* 000 derivatives *period* The figures cover around 95 pct of Rotterdam traffic in the products concerned *period* Reuter))

(0079 (organic) 
     (COLOMBIA JUNE COFFEE REGISTRATIONS OPENED)
     (BOGOTA *comma* April 13)
     (Colombia has opened coffee registrations for June shipment with no limit set for private exporters *comma* as in April and May *comma* a National Coffee Growers *apostrophe* Federation official said *period* Colombia has sold an average of 900 *comma* 000 bags per month since the beginning of the calendar year *period* Reuter))

(0080 (financial) 
     (SPANISH MONEY SUPPLY GROWING AT DOUBLE TARGET PACE)
     (MADRID *comma* April 13)
     (Spain *apostrophe* s principal measure of money supply *comma* the broad *dash* based liquid assets in public hands *lparen* ALP *rparen* *comma* grew at an annualised rate of 17 *period* 6 pct in March against 16 *period* 6 pct in February and 19 *period* 6 pct in March last year *comma* provisional Bank of Spain figures show *period* The bank *apostrophe* s target range for this year is 6 *period* 5 to 9 *period* 5 pct *comma* and Bank of Spain Governor Mariano Rubio said this month he was aiming for the lower end of that range *period* ALP grew by 11 *period* 4 pct during 1986 *period* REUTER))

(0081 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET GIVEN LATE HELP OF 210 MLN STG)
     (LONDON *comma* April 13)
     (The Bank of England said it gave the market late assistance of around 210 mln stg *comma* bringing its total help on the day to some 353 mln stg *period* This compares with the Bank *apostrophe* s estimate of the liquidity shortage of around 450 mln stg *comma* raised from its early forecast of 400 mln stg *period* REUTER))

(0082 (metal) 
     (GIANT BAY IN IDAHO GOLD VENTURE)
     (VANCOUVER *comma* British Columbia *comma* April 13)
     (Giant Bay Resources Ltd said it signed an agreement in principle with Hecla Mining Co for an operating joint venture on Hecla *apostrophe* s Stibnite *comma* Idaho *comma* gold deposit *period* Giant Bay said if its bioleaching technology is used for ore processing *comma* it will have the right to acquire a working interest in the property *period* It said it may spend as much as three mln U *period* S *period* dlrs *comma* excluding capital costs to bring the mine into production *period* It said drilling has indicated substantial sulphide reserves with a gold grade of about 0 *period* 1 ounce a ton *comma* and early tests show the gold ore responds to bioleaching *period* Reuter))

(0083 (organic) 
     (CCC ACCEPTS BONUS ON CATTLE TO CANARY ISLANDS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 13)
     (The Commodity Credit Corporation *lparen* CCC *rparen* has accepted a bid for an export bonus to cover the sale of 2 *comma* 750 head of dairy cattle to the Canary Islands *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* The cattle are for delivery May *comma* 1987 *dash* October *comma* 1988 *comma* it said *period* The bonus was 1 *comma* 379 *period* 00 dlrs per head and was made to Holstein *dash* Friesian *comma* Inc and will be paid in the form of commodities from the CCC inventory *period* An additional 175 headed of dairy cattle for still available to the Canary Islands under the Export Enhancement Program initiative announced July 28 *comma* 1986 *comma* it said *period* Reuter))

(0084 (metal) 
     (WORK ON GREEK ALUMINA PLANT TO START END MAY)
     (ATHENS *comma* April 13)
     (Preparatory work for construction of a 450 mln dlr alumina plant near the village of Aghia Efthymia in the Greek province of Fokida will begin at the end of next month and the plant will be operational by 1992 *comma* Industry Undersecretary George Petsos said *period* Greece yesterday signed contracts with the Soviet Union for the joint venture project *comma* the biggest investment in the country for 20 years *period* Petsos said the Soviet Union *comma* which had initially agreed to buy 380 *comma* 000 tonnes *comma* would now purchase the plant *apostrophe* s entire output of 600 *comma* 000 tonnes a year *period* Reuter))

(0085 (metal) 
     (COMMONWEALTH ALUMINUM PUTS PLANT ON THE BLOCK)
     (GOLDENDALE *comma* Wash *comma* April 13)
     (Commonwealth Aluminum *lparen* Comalco *rparen* said it put its Goldendale *comma* Wash *period* *comma* smelter back on the market after would *dash* be buyer *comma* Columbia Aluminum Corp *comma* of Hermiston *comma* Ore *period* *comma* failed to pull together financing by an April one deadline *period* The plant *comma* which has an asking price of 18 *period* 7 mln dlrs plus several mln more dlrs for inventory *comma* it said *period* Commonwealth said it is continuing talks with Columbia *comma* but has also opened talks with other interested parties *period* Commonwealth bought the plant in January 1985 and closed it Feb 15 *comma* 1987 *comma* leaving about 400 workers jobless *period* Reuter))

(0086 (financial) 
     (DU PONT UNIT TO REDEEM NOTES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 13)
     (Du Pont Overseas Capital N *period* V *period* *comma* a unit of Du Pont Co *comma* said it will redeem on May 15 all 189 mln dlrs of its outstanding 13 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct guaranteed retractable notes due 1997 *period* It will buy back the notes at par value plus accrued interest *comma* Du Pont Overseas said *period* Reuter))

(0087 (organic) 
     (PAKISTAN REPORTEDLY BOUGHT WHITE SUGAR AT TENDER)
     (LONDON *comma* April 13)
     (Pakistan is reported to have bought 100 *comma* 000 tonnes of white sugar at its weekend tender from a North Korean operator *comma* traders said *period* The purchase *comma* believed priced around 210 dlrs a tonne cost and freight for fine *slash* medium grain *comma* was due to be shipped for arrival in May *lparen* 30 *comma* 000 tonnes *rparen* *comma* in June *lparen* 45 *comma* 000 *rparen* and in July *lparen* 25 *comma* 000 tonnes *rparen* *comma* they said *period* Reuter))

(0088 (financial) 
     (FED EXPECTED TO SET THREE-DAY REPURCHASE PACTS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 13)
     (The Federal Reserve is expected to enter the U *period* S *period* Government securities market to add temporary reserves directly by arranging three *dash* day System repurchase agreements *comma* economists said *period* They said the Fed may add the reserves indirectly instead via a large round *comma* two billion dlrs or more *comma* of customer repurchase agreements *period* Federal funds *comma* which averaged a high 6 *period* 35 pct on Friday *comma* opened at 6 *dash* 7 *slash* 16 pct and traded between there and 6 *dash* 1 *slash* 2 pct *period* Reuter))

(0089 (organic) 
     (SAUDI ARABIA BUYS RBD PALM OLEIN)
     (LONDON *comma* April 13)
     (Saudi Arabia bought 4 *comma* 000 tonnes of Malaysian refined bleached deodorised palm olein for June 1 *slash* 10 shipment at around 356 dlrs per tonne cost and freight Jeddah *comma* traders said *period* Reuter))

(0090 (organic) 
     (SWIFT TO SELL SOUTH DAKOTA PORK PLANT)
     (DALLAS *comma* April 13)
     (Swift Independent Packing Co said it agreed in principle to sell its Huron *comma* South Dakota *comma* pork plant to Huron Dressed Beef *comma* for undisclosed terms *period* Completion of the proposed transaction is subject to Huron *apostrophe* s ability to hire an experienced work force at competitive rates *comma* and receive government approval of the purchase and operation of the plant *comma* Swift said *period* Reuter))

(0091 (financial) 
     (FED ADDS RESERVES VIA CUSTOMER REPURCHASES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 13)
     (The Federal Reserve entered the U *period* S *period* Government securities market to arrange 1 *period* 5 billion dlrs of customer repurchase agreements *comma* a Fed spokesman said *period* Dealers said Federal funds were trading at 6 *dash* 1 *slash* 2 pct when the Fed began its temporary and indirect supply of reserves to the banking system *period* Most had expected the Fed to supply reserves directly via System repurchase agreements or to add them indirectly through two billion dlrs or more of customer repurchase agreements *period* Some believe the Fed is adding fewer reserves than are needed to keep upward pressure on rates and so help the dollar *period* Reuter))

(0092 (petro) 
     (TRITON SAYS PARIS BASIN RESERVES UP 39 PCT)
     (DALLAS *comma* April 13)
     (Triton Energy Corp said proven reserves of the Villespedue oil field in France *apostrophe* s Paris Basin were estimated at a total of 67 *period* 5 mln barrels on March one *comma* up 39 pct from 48 *period* 7 mln barrels on May 31 *comma* 1986 *period* Triton said its 60 pct owned subsidiary has a 50 pct interest in the field which is located 50 miles east of Paris *period* The other 50 pct is held by *comma* the field *apostrophe* s operator *period* Reuter))

(0093 (organic) 
     (JAPANESE CRUSHERS BUY CANADIAN RAPESEEED)
     (WINNIPEG *comma* April 13)
     (Japanese crushers bought 3 *comma* 000 to 4 *comma* 000 tonnes of Canadian rapeseed in export business overnight for last half May *slash* first half June shipment *comma* trade sources said *period* Reuter))

(0094 (petro) 
     (STANDARD  *comma* MOBIL PLAN OFFSHORE PLATFORM)
     (HOUSTON *comma* April 13)
     (Standard Oil Co said a contract has been awarded to for a drilling and production platform to be installed in Ewing Bank Block 826 in the Gulf of Mexico where Standard and Mobil Corp each own a 40 pct interest *period* Standard said its Standard Oil Production Co subsidiary will operate the platform which is being designed to produce 15 *comma* 000 barrels of oil and 50 mln cubic feet of gas daily *period* The platform is now expected to be installed in the summer of 1988 *period* Other owners are Kerr *dash* McGee Corp with 16 *period* 66 pct and with 3 *period* 34 pct *period* Reuter))

(0095 (financial) 
     (HOECHST PLANS OFFERING TO FINANCE MERGER DEBT)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 13)
     (Hoechst Celanese Corp *comma* a recently formed subsidiary of Hoechst AG of Frankfurt *comma* West Germany *comma* filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a 500 mln dlr debt offering to repay part of its merger debt *period* Hoechst *comma* which acquired Celanese Corp on Feb 27 *comma* said it plans to offer 200 mln dlrs of notes due 1997 and 300 mln dlrs of debentures due 2017 to repay part of the debt incurred in the takeover *period* A group led by First Boston Corp will underwrite the offering *comma* the company said *period* Reuter))

(0096 (petro) 
     (CANADA APPROVES U *period* S *period*  GAS EXPORTS BY PROGAS)
     (OTTAWA *comma* April 13)
     (ProGas Ltd was issued an export licence to sell 10 *period* 3 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Ocean State Power Co of Burrillville *comma* Rhode Island *comma* the federal energy department said *period* The sale *comma* covering a 20 year period beginning May 1 *comma* 1989 *comma* was previously recommended by the National Energy Board *period* Contract terms were not released *period* Reuter))

(0097 (financial) 
     (U *period* S *period*  FEBRUARY TRADE TO BE REPORTED ON NEW BASIS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 13)
     (The February monthly merchandise trade figures to be reported Tuesday by the Commerce Department will be on a new basis reflecting more recent data *comma* so avoiding future revisions of the monthly figure *comma* Commerce officials said *period* The overall January deficit of 14 *period* 8 billion dlrs will be revised *comma* but the February figure will be a final one *comma* officials said *period* Previously *comma* the initial monthly figure has had to be revised in subsequent months because of the time lag between the report and the compiling of final estimates on imports and exports *period* The reporting of the February trade data was delayed several weeks to permit gathering latest figures on imports and exports to give a clearer picture of the monthly trade balance *period* Reuter))

(0098 (organic) 
     (SWIFT TO SELL SOUTH DAKOTA PORK PLANT)
     (DALLAS *comma* April 13)
     (Swift Independent Packing Co said it agreed in principle to sell its Huron *comma* South Dakota pork plant to Huron Dressed Beef *comma* for undisclosed terms *period* Completion of the proposed transaction is subject to Huron *apostrophe* s ability to hire an experienced work force at competitive rates *comma* and receive government approval of the purchase and operation of the plant *comma* Swift said *period* Reuter))

(0099 (organic) 
     (U *period* S *period*  CORN EXPORTS SEEN WELL AHEAD OF LAST YEAR)
     (CHICAGO *comma* April 13)
     (Grain traders and analysts expect today *apostrophe* s weekly U *period* S *period* corn export inspection figure to be well above last year *comma* with wheat slightly better and soybeans about the same *period* Corn export inspection guesses ranged from 40 *period* 0 to 44 *period* 0 mln bushels for the week ended April 9 *comma* compared up 46 *period* 6 mln inspected a week earlier and 15 *period* 2 mln in the year *dash* ago week *period* Soybean export estimates ranged from 12 *period* 0 to 15 *period* 0 mln bushels versus 10 *period* 8 mln exported last week and 13 *period* 2 mln last year *period* Export guesses for all wheat ranged from 16 *period* 0 to 20 *period* 0 mln bushels *comma* compared with 16 *period* 4 mln last week and 11 *period* 2 mln last year *period* Reuter))

(0100 (petro) 
     (BROOKLYN UNION *quote* S UNIT TO EXPAND DRILLING)
     (BROOKLYN *comma* N *period* Y *period* *comma* April 13)
     (Brooklyn Union Gas Co *apostrophe* s Brooklyn Union Exploration Co Inc unit said it entered a 200 mln dlr three *dash* year gas and oil exploration and development venture with Smith Offshore Exploration Co *period* The agreement calls for drilling of 10 to 12 offshore wells per year *comma* primarily in the Gulf of Mexico area off the Texas and Louisiana coasts and 30 to 40 onshore Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast wells *period* Reuter))

(0101 (organic) 
     (CCC CREDIT GUARANTEES FOR RICE TO ALGERIA *dash* USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 13)
     (The Commodity Credit Corporation *comma* CCC *comma* has authorized 3 *period* 0 mln dlrs in credit guarantees for sales of U *period* S *period* rice to Algeria for fiscal year 1987 under the Export Credit Guarantee Program *comma* GSM *dash* 102 *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* The additional guarantees increase the cumulative fiscal year 1987 program for sales of U *period* S *period* agricultural products to Algeria to 469 *period* 0 mln dlrs *period* To be eligible for the credit guarantee coverage *comma* all sales under the new line must be registered and exported by September 30 *comma* 1987 *comma* the department aid *period* Reuter))

(0102 (financial) 
     (TREASURY BALANCES AT FED FELL ON APRIL 9)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 13)
     (Treasury balances at the Federal Reserve fell on April 10 to 3 *period* 373 billion dlrs from 3 *period* 523 billion dlrs on the previous business day *comma* the Treasury said in its latest budget statement *period* Balances in tax and loan note accounts fell to 11 *period* 645 billion dlrs from 11 *period* 869 billion dlrs on the same respective days *period* The Treasury *apostrophe* s operating cash balance totaled 15 *period* 018 billion dlrs compared with 15 *period* 392 billion dlrs on April 9 *period* Reuter))

(0103 (petro) 
     (DOE RESOLVES ISSUES WITH ROYAL DUTCH UNIT)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 13)
     (The Energy Department said it had approved in final form an agreement that resolves all remaining issues with Shell Oil Co over oil pricing and allocation controls that ended in 1981 *period* Under the agreement *comma* The Royal Dutch *slash* Shell Group unit agreed to pay 20 mln dlrs to settle refiner pricing issues and 160 mln dlrs to settle crude oil pricing issues *comma* DOE said *period* DOE said that before making the pact final *comma* it modified it to reflect Shell *apostrophe* s compliance with the Tertiary Incentive Program *comma* a provision not in the version published last Dec 31 *period* reuter))

(0104 (petro) 
     (GULF CANADA ACQUIRES SUEZ OIL STAKE)
     (CALGARY *comma* Alberta *comma* April 13)
     (Gulf Canada Corp said it acquired a 25 pct working interest in the Gulf of Suez oil concession for undisclosed terms *period* The company said its agreement with operator Conoco Hurghada Inc and Hispanoil covered the 168 *comma* 374 *dash* acre East Hurghada offshore concession *period* It said a 15 *period* 6 mln U *period* S *period* dlr four *dash* well program was planned for 1987 *period* After the acquisition *comma* which is subject to Egyptian government approval *comma* working interests in the Hurghada block will be Conoco Hurghada at 45 pct *comma* Hispanoil 30 pct and Gulf Canada the balance *period* Reuter))

(0105 (financial) 
     (ADVANCED INSTITUTIONAL IN NEW FACILITY)
     (SYOSSET *comma* N *period* Y *period* *comma* April 13)
     (Advanced Institutional Management Software Inc said it renegotiated its bank credit facility from a demand note to a 10 *dash* year term note with a 25 *dash* year payment schedule *period* Reuter))

(0106 (financial) 
     (BANK OF JAPAN INTERVENES IN TOKYO AFTER OPENING)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 14)
     (The Bank of Japan intervened in Tokyo to buy dollars just after the market opened *comma* dealers said *period* The dollar opened at 142 *period* 05 yen against 142 *period* 15 *slash* 25 in New York and 142 *period* 50 at the close here yesterday *period* The bank stepped into the market amid selling pressure from interbank dealers *comma* dealers said *period* REUTER))

(0107 (financial) 
     (MIYAZAWA SEES EVENTUAL LOWER U *period* S *period*  TRADE DEFICIT)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 14)
     (Japanese Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa told a press conference he expects the U *period* S *period* Trade deficit to eventually start reflecting economic fundamentals *comma* which should influence exchange rates *period* The minister was not referring to the U *period* S *period* Trade data to be released in Washington later today *period* Miyazawa also said he told major industrial nations when he was in Washington last week that present exchange rates are not necessarily good *period* He had said earlier in Washington that current exchange rates were within levels implied in the February Paris currency accord *period* REUTER))

(0108 (organic) 
     (HAITIAN CANE PLANTERS PROTEST SUGAR MILL CLOSURE)
     (PORT)
     (*dash* AU *dash* PRINCE *comma* April 13 *dash* About 2 *comma* 000 sugar cane planters marched to Port *dash* au *dash* Prince to protest against the closure of Haiti *apostrophe* s largest sugar mill and second biggest employer *period* The Haitian American Sugar Company closed on Friday because of a huge surplus of unsold sugar *period* The firm said Haiti has been flooded with smuggled refined and unrefined sugar from the Dominican Republic and refined U *period* S *period* Sugar from Miami *period* The closure idled 3 *comma* 500 factory workers and left 30 *comma* 000 small cane planters with no outlet for their cane *period* The protesters blamed Finance Minister Lesly Delatour for the closure *comma* saying his policies have hurt Haitian businesses *period* REUTER))

(0109 (metal) 
     (CHINA TO OPEN FIRST PHASE OF LARGE ALUMINIUM PLANT)
     (PEKING *comma* April 14)
     (China *comma* a major aluminium importer *comma* will open the first phase of its biggest aluminium plant on October 1 *comma* the China Daily said *period* The first phase of the plant *comma* located in Qinghai province *comma* will have an annual capacity of 100 *comma* 000 tonnes of ingots *comma* half the capacity of the finished plant *period* It will turn out 4 *comma* 000 tonnes in 1987 *comma* the paper said *comma* but gave no more details *period* Construction of the 510 mln yuan plant began in April 1984 *period* Customs figures show China imported 266 *comma* 241 tonnes of aluminium and alloy in 1986 *comma* down from 487 *comma* 862 in 1985 *period* REUTER))

(0110 (organic) 
     (TAIWAN IMPORTS 210 *comma* 000 TONNES SOUTH AFRICAN MAIZE)
     (TAIPEI *comma* April 14)
     (Taiwan imported about 210 *comma* 000 tonnes of South African maize between January 1 and April 13 *comma* the joint committee of local maize importers said *period* Under a three *dash* year agreement signed last year *comma* South Africa will export 600 *comma* 000 tonnes of maize a year to Taiwan *period* A committee spokesman told Reuters the rest of this year *apostrophe* s quota will be shipped during the rest of 1987 *period* REUTER))

(0111 (organic) 
     (CHINA FACES EXTENDED SORGHUM SHORTAGE)
     (PEKING *comma* April 17)
     (China will be short of sorghum in 1987 for the sixth successive year because high production costs and low profits discourage farmers from growing it *comma* the China Daily Business Weekly said *period* It said sorghum output in calendar 1986 was 5 *period* 34 mln tonnes *comma* down five pct from the 1985 level *comma* and prices on the free market rose in January to 0 *period* 42 yuan per kg *comma* up 14 pct on January 1986 *period* It said sorghum acreage in 1987 is six pct lower than in 1986 *period* Sorghum accounts for 40 pct of the raw materials needed by China *apostrophe* s breweries *comma* it added but gave no more details *period* REUTER))

(0112 (financial) 
     (JAPAN MARCH MONEY SUPPLY RISES 9 *period* 0 PCT)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 17)
     (Japan *apostrophe* s broadly defined money supply average of M *dash* 2 plus certificate of deposits *lparen* CD *rparen* rose a preliminary 9 *period* 0 pct in March from a year earlier *comma* compared with an 8 *period* 8 pct rise in February *comma* the Bank of Japan said *period* The seasonally adjusted March average of M *dash* 2 plus CDs rose 0 *period* 8 pct from February when it rose an identical 0 *period* 8 pct from a month earlier *comma* it said *period* Unadjusted M *dash* 2 plus CDs stood at an average 343 *comma* 600 billion yen in March compared with 336 *comma* 015 billion in February *period* REUTER))

(0113 (petro) 
     (SAUDI ARABIA WANTS TO INCREASE OIL SALES TO JAPAN)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 17)
     (Saudi Arabia hopes to increase the volume of its oil exports to Japan through expanding bilateral trade *comma* Saudi Arabian Interior Minister Naif bin Abdul *dash* Aziz said *period* He told a Tokyo reception his country hopes to raise crude and products exports to Japan to earlier levels *comma* but did not elaborate *period* To promote trade *comma* Saudi Arabia is inviting Japanese industries to do business there *comma* he said *period* Japanese firms now have long *dash* term contracts to import a total of 150 *comma* 000 barrels per day of Saudi crude *period* REUTER))

(0114 (financial) 
     (JAPAN *quote* S LDP TO CALL FOR FLEXIBLE MONETARY POLICIES)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 17)
     (Japan *apostrophe* s ruling Liberal Democratic Party *lparen* LDP *rparen* will call for adequate and flexible management of the nation *apostrophe* s monetary polices in its plan to expand domestic demand *comma* a senior LDP official told Reuters *period* Junichiro Koizumi *comma* the head of the LDP committee working out the plan *comma* said the phrase should not be taken as implying an immediate cut in Japan *apostrophe* s 2 *period* 5 pct discount rate *period* *quote* The LDP generally believes that there is no need for a further discount rate cut at the moment *comma* *quote* he said *period* But Koizumi said the LDP does not rule out a rate cut if necessary in the future *period* Bank of Japan Governor Satoshi Sumita told a press conference on Wednesday that the central bank does not have any intention of easing credit conditions *period* REUTER))

(0115 (organic) 
     (THAI VENTURE WILL SELL RUBBER TO CHINA)
     (BANGKOK *comma* April 17)
     (Teck Soon Co Ltd *comma* a major Thai rubber exporter has formed a joint venture with state *dash* owned Chinese International Economic and Technology Development Corp to produce 50 *comma* 000 tonnes of sheet rubber annually for export to the Chinese auto industry *comma* Teck Soon general manager Chit Surivitchpan said *period* Chit said a new joint venture company will have a registered capital of four mln dlrs *period* China imported 69 *comma* 952 tonnes of Thai sheet rubber last year and 60 *comma* 296 tonnes in 1985 *period* REUTER))

(0116 (financial) 
     (JAPAN SEES HIGHER MONEY SUPPLY GROWTH THIS QUARTER)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 17)
     (The Bank of Japan said it forecast Japan *apostrophe* s broadly *dash* defined M *dash* 2 money supply average plus certificates of deposit *lparen* CDs *rparen* will rise by about nine pct in the current April *dash* June quarter against 8 *period* 5 pct a year earlier *period* Unadjusted M *dash* 2 plus CDs rose a preliminary 8 *period* 8 pct in January *slash* March 1987 compared with a nine pct rise a year earlier *comma* it said *period* The bank said the forecast rise is due to an increase in floating deposits due to recent low interest rates and a shift to private banks from the Bank of Japan of 400 *dash* 1 *comma* 000 billion yen by the recently privatised Japanese Railways *period* REUTER))

(0117 (metal) 
     (FORD DEVELOPING ALUMINUM CAR FRAME)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 17)
     (Ford Motor Co said it is developing an aluminum space frame for its Probe V concept car using extruded stretch *dash* formed aluminum that could lead to new techniques for building production cars in the future *period* It said the frame would reduce vehicle weight and cost while maintaining structural integrity and crashworthiness *period* The frame has fewer parts than conventional steel frames *comma* Ford said *period* The company said the lighter weight would allow smaller powertrains and suspensions *comma* further reducing weight and improving fuel economy *period* Ford said in addition *comma* extrusion dies cost 1 *comma* 000 to 12 *comma* 000 dlrs each *comma* compared with hundreds of thousands of dollars for steel stamping dies *comma* and using extruded aluminum the number of welds in a car could be reduced to about 40 from over 2 *comma* 000 *period* Reuter))

(0118 (financial) 
     (WHITE HOUSE SAYS U *period* S *period*  MONETARY POLICY CORRECT)
     (SANTA BARBARA *comma* Calif *comma* April 17)
     (The White House *comma* distancing itself from remarks by the administration *apostrophe* s budget chief *comma* said the Federal Reserve *apostrophe* s current course of monetary policy was appropriate *period* *quote* The administration feels that the current course of monetary policy is appropriate *comma* *quote* White House spokesman Marlin Fitwater said *period* Fitzwater said the administration did not endorse remarks by White House budget chief James Miller *comma* who said he was concerned the Federal Reserve might overreact to the decline in the value of the U *period* S *period* dollar by raising interest rates *period* More))

(0119 (financial) 
     (U *period* S *period*  BUSINESS LOANS FALL 1 *period* 08 BILLION DLRS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 17)
     (Business loans on the books of major U *period* S *period* banks *comma* excluding acceptances *comma* fell 1 *period* 08 billion dlrs to 276 *period* 37 billion dlrs in the week ended April 8 *comma* the Federal Reserve Board said *period* The Fed said that business loans including acceptances fell 1 *period* 1 billion dlrs to 278 *period* 67 billion dlrs *period* Reuter))

(0120 (financial) 
     (JAPAN WILL NOT RETALIATE NOW AGAINST U *period* S *period*  TARIFFS)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 18)
     (Japan does not plan to take immediate retaliatory action against implementation of U *period* S *period* Tariffs on some Japanese electronic goods *comma* the minister of international trade and industry *comma* Hajime Tamura *comma* said in a statement *period* Japan requested bilateral consultations in accordance with Article 23 *dash* 1 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade *lparen* GATT *rparen* in Washington yesterday *period* Tamura said there was deep regret over the U *period* S *period* Measures *comma* which will impose 100 pct tariffs on about 300 mln dlrs worth of Japanese imports of some small computers *comma* colour television sets and power tools *period* REUTER))

(0121 (financial) 
     (INDIAN OIL FIRM GETS 3 *period* 5 BILLION YEN CREDIT)
     (NEW DELHI *comma* April 2)
     (India *apostrophe* s state *dash* owned Oil India Ltd *lparen* OIL *rparen* said it received a 3 *period* 5 billion yen credit under an agreement signed with Dai Ichi Kangyo Bank of Tokyo last week *period* A statement from OIL said the 10 *dash* year loan carries a rate of interest 0 *period* 5 pct below Japanese long term prime *period* The loan *comma* to finance imports of plant *comma* machinery and raw materials *comma* will be repaid in nine equal instalments from the seventh year *period* The credit is the first foreign commercial loan raised by OIL *period* It was arranged under a bilateral treaty to avoid double taxation *comma* it said *period* REUTER))

(0122 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY RATES HARDEN ON LAWSON CURRENCY TARGETS)
     (LONDON *comma* April 2)
     (Money market rates rates showed a harder edge after news U *period* K *period* Chancellor of the Exchequer Nigel Lawson has set a target for the pound against the mark and dollar *comma* to be maintained by a mixture of interest rates and intervention in the foreign exchange markets *period* Dealers said the market was surprised by the Chancellor *apostrophe* s disclosure of sterling target rates *comma* around 2 *period* 90 marks and 1 *period* 60 dlrs *comma* and nervous over the implications for domestic interest rates *comma* further reducing the propects for a near term cut in U *period* K *period* Bank base rates *period* The key three months interbank sterling rate gained 1 *slash* 16 point at 10 9 *dash* 7 *slash* 8 pct *period* The pound opened three basis points lower at 71 *period* 3 in trade weighted terms *comma* at around 1 *period* 59 dlrs and 2 *period* 91 marks *period* REUTER))

(0123 (financial) 
     (BANK OF FRANCE TO BUY FIRST CATEGORY PAPER TODAY)
     (PARIS *comma* April 2)
     (The Bank of France is to inject liquidity against first category paper at a tender this afternoon *comma* a Bank spokesman said *period* Money market sources were divided as to whether they thought the Bank of France would use the occasion to cut its intervention rate *comma* which has stood at 7 3 *slash* 4 pct since it was cut from eight pct on March 9 *period* Some thought a rate cut unlikely given foreign exchange turbulence and the U *period* S *period* Prime rate rise to 7 3 *slash* 4 pct *comma* while others still counted on a 1 *slash* 4 point cut by the Bank of France *period* REUTER))

(0124 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET DEFICIT FORECAST AT 800 MLN STG)
     (LONDON *comma* April 2)
     (The Bank of England said it forecast a shortage of around 800 mln stg in the money market today *period* Among the main factors affecting liquidity *comma* bills for repurchase by the market will drain some 664 mln stg while bills maturing in official hands and the take *dash* up of treasury bills will take out around 508 mln stg and a rise in note circulation some 45 mln stg *period* Partly offsetting these outflows *comma* exchequer transactions and bankers *apostrophe* balances above target will add some 380 mln stg and 35 mln stg to the system respectively *period* REUTER))

(0125 (organic) 
     (SUGAR OFFERED TO DUTCH INTERVENTION REFUSED)
     (ROTTERDAM *comma* April 2)
     (The 2 *comma* 500 tonnes of sugar offered to intervention in the Netherlands has been refused by the intervention board because of wrong packaging *comma* a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Agriculture said *period* She said the sugar could be offered again to intervention *period* EC producers have threatened to sell over 800 *comma* 000 tonnes of sugar to intervention stocks as a protest against EC export licensing policies *period* Last month Dutch traders said the sugar on offer in the Netherlands was Belgian *comma* but the ministry could not confirm this *period* REUTER))

(0126 (organic) 
     (EC DENIES MAIZE EXPORTS RESERVED FOR U *period* S *period* )
     (BRUSSELS *comma* April 2)
     (The agreement between the U *period* S *period* And the European Community *lparen* EC *rparen* on special imports of maize and sorghum provides an equal chance for all non *dash* EC countries to supply the Spanish market *comma* an EC Commission spokeswoman said *period* She denied that any unpublished clause of the agreement guaranteed the bulk of the maize export business would go to the U *period* S *period* *comma* As one EC official told Reuters yesterday *period* Under the agreement *comma* the EC will import two mln tonnes of maize and 300 *comma* 000 tonnes of sorghum a year into Spain at specially reduced levy rates for the next four years *period* The Commission has yet to decide whether the maize will come in through direct purchases by the Spanish intervention board or by a tender system *period* REUTER))

(0127 (organic) 
     (KENYAN COFFEE NEEDS RAIN *comma*  TRADERS SAY)
     (NAIROBI *comma* April 2)
     (Kenya *apostrophe* s late coffee crop is flowering well *comma* but the main coffee areas were generally dry and hot in the week ended Wednesday *comma* trade sources said *period* *quote* Machakos *comma* Embu *comma* Meru and Kirinyaga in eastern Kenya *comma* and Nyeri and Thika in central *comma* have been dry in the past week *period* The farmers expect rain this week *period* If it does not fall output of the late *lparen* October *dash* November *dash* December *rparen* crop will decline sharply *comma* *quote* one source said *period* He said that since most growers did not irrigate their crop they could do nothing but wait for rain *comma* the main factor which determines Kenyan coffee production *period* Two months ago the International Coffee Organization issued a forecast of Kenyan exportable coffee production in the 1986 *slash* 87 *lparen* Oct *dash* Sept *rparen* season at 1 *period* 82 mln bags *period* REUTER))

(0128 (organic) 
     (CARGILL U *period* K *period*  STRIKE TALKS BREAK OFF WITHOUT RESULT)
     (LONDON *comma* April 2)
     (Two days of talks between management and unions to try to end the 3 *dash* 1 *slash* 2 month labour dispute at Cargill U *period* K *period* Ltd *apostrophe* s oilseed crushing plant at Seaforth ended yesterday without resolving the situation *comma* a company spokesman said *period* Fresh talks are expected to be held early next week but the actual date has not yet been fixed *comma* he added *period* Oilseed processing at the mill has been at a standstill since December 19 and the company has declared force majeure for deliveries of soymeal and soyoil ahead to May *period* REUTER))

(0129 (organic) 
     (U *period* K *period*  GRAIN EXPORTS CONTINUE TO RISE SHARPLY)
     (LONDON *comma* April 2)
     (The U *period* K *period* Exported 517 *comma* 600 tonnes of wheat and 315 *comma* 800 tonnes of barley in the first 25 days of March *comma* the Home Grown Cereals Authority *lparen* HGCA *rparen* said *comma* quoting provisional Customs and Excise figures *period* This brought combined wheat and barley exports since the season started on July 1 to 7 *period* 60 mln tonnes *comma* substantially up on the 4 *period* 02 mln exported in the same 1985 *slash* 86 period *period* This season *apostrophe* s total comprises 3 *period* 94 mln tonnes of wheat and 3 *period* 66 mln barley *comma* compared with 1 *period* 63 mln and 2 *period* 39 mln *comma* respectively *comma* a year ago *period* REUTER))

(0130 (organic) 
     (ZAMBIA EXPECTS SHARPLY REDUCED MAIZE CROP)
     (LUSAKA *comma* April 2)
     (Zambia *apostrophe* s marketed maize production will probably fall to less than 630 *comma* 000 tonnes in 1986 *slash* 87 *lparen* May *dash* Apr *rparen* *comma* from 918 *comma* 000 last year *comma* because of poor rainfall in major producing areas *comma* Agriculture Minister Kingsley Chinkuli said *period* He told Parliament that in the southern provinces the harvest would be over 50 pct down on the level in the previous marketing year *period* *quote* The nation would be lucky to produce over seven mln bags *lparen* 630 *comma* 000 tonnes *rparen* of maize this year *comma* *quote* he stated *period* Chinkuli added that Zambia was setting up an irrigation fund with Canadian aid to lessen the effects of poor rainfall *period* REUTER))

(0131 (financial) 
     (JAPAN ASKS BANKS TO MODERATE DOLLAR SALES *dash* JIJI)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 2)
     (The Finance Ministry has asked commercial banks to moderate their dollar sales *comma* JiJi News Agency reported *comma* quoting financial sources *period* Finance Ministry officials were unavailable for comment *period* The report also could not be confirmed by several bank dealers *period* Earlier *comma* Japanese trust banking sources said the Ministry had asked them to moderate their dollar sales *period* A Ministry official said earlier this week the ministry had recently surveyed currency transactions by investors *comma* but declined to say whether this aimed at reducing their dollar sales *period* REUTER))

(0132 (petro) 
     (ZIMBABWE BANS POLYPROPYLENE BAGS FOR OILSEEDS)
     (HARARE *comma* April 2)
     (Zimbabwe *apostrophe* s Grain Marketing Board has banned the packing of oilseeds in locally *dash* made polypropylene bags and will supply jute bags instead *comma* board officials said *period* It said the quality of oilseeds such as soybeans *comma* groundnuts and sunflower seed packed in polypropylene bags deteriorated after two weeks *period* Zimbabwe began producing 10 mln polypropylene grain bags this year to replace jute bags imported mainly from Bangladesh *period* REUTER))

(0133 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET GIVEN 345 MLN STG ASSISTANCE)
     (LONDON *comma* April 2)
     (The Bank of England said it had provided the money market with 345 mln stg help in the morning session *period* This compares with its forecast of a shortage of around 800 mln stg in the system today *period* The central bank made outright purchases of bank bills comprising 58 mln stg in band one at 9 *dash* 7 *slash* 8 pct *comma* 227 mln stg in band two at 9 *dash* 13 *slash* 16 pct *comma* 56 mln stg in band three at 9 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct and four mln stg in band four at 9 *dash* 11 *slash* 16 pct *period* Dealers noted that this was the first time bills in band four *comma* which have a maturity of between two and three months *comma* have been dealt in the market since mid *dash* February *period* REUTER))

(0134 (financial) 
     (BUNDESBANK LEAVES CREDIT POLICIES UNCHANGED)
     (FRANKFURT *comma* March 2)
     (The Bundesbank left credit policies unchanged after today *apostrophe* s regular meeting of its council *comma* a spokesman said in answer to enquiries *period* The West German discount rate remains at 3 *period* 0 pct *comma* and the Lombard emergency financing rate at 5 *period* 0 pct *period* REUTER))

(0135 (organic) 
     (FRANCE SOLD WHEAT FLOUR TO CHINA *dash* ONIC)
     (PARIS *comma* April 2)
     (France has sold between 50 *comma* 000 to 100 *comma* 000 tonnes of wheat flour to China *comma* the Director General of France *apostrophe* s Cereal Intervention Board *lparen* ONIC *rparen* Bernard Vieux said *period* He gave no further details of the sale *comma* but added French millers were worried about the unfair competition facing French flour due the lack of end *dash* of *dash* season storage premiums for wheat *period* ONIC raised its estimate of 1986 *slash* 87 flour exports to 1 *period* 70 mln tonnes compared 1 *period* 65 mln forecast in March and the 1 *period* 87 mln exported in 1985 *slash* 86 *period* REUTER))

(0136 (organic) 
     (SYRIA SEEKING WHITE SUGAR ON APRIL 8 *dash* TRADE)
     (LONDON *comma* April 2)
     (Syria will hold a buying tender on April 8 for 36 *comma* 000 tonnes of white sugar for shipment in June *comma* July and August at a rate of 12 *comma* 000 tonnes a month *comma* traders said *period* REUTER))

(0137 (organic) 
     (SEASONAL STABILISATION SEEN FOR COFFEE PRICES)
     (HAMBURG *comma* April 2)
     (The onset of cooler weather in Brazil during the southern hemisphere winter is expected to have a stabilising effect on a weak coffee market *comma* West German trade sources said *period* *quote* The annual fear of frost in Brazil will probably grip the market sometime this month until June or early July *comma* *quote* one trader said *period* The trade believes the International Coffee Organization *lparen* ICO *rparen* is unlikely to tackle the re *dash* introduction of quotas before its September meeting and until then the market will not see any unexpected sharp moves in either direction *period* REUTER))

(0138 (financial) 
     (BANK OF JAPAN INTERVENES JUST AFTER TOKYO OPENING)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 2)
     (The Bank of Japan intervened just after the Tokyo market opened *comma* buying dollars at around 147 *period* 65 yen *comma* dealers said *period* They were unsure of the amount of the central bank *apostrophe* s purchasing *comma* but it seemed to prevent the dollar from weakening against the yen amid bearish sentiment for the U *period* S *period* Currency *comma* they said *period* The dollar opened at 147 *period* 65 yen against 147 *period* 20 *slash* 30 in New York and 146 *period* 90 at the close here yesterday *period* REUTER))

(0139 (financial) 
     (BUNDESBANK LEAVES CREDIT POLICIES UNCHANGED)
     (FRANKFURT *comma* March 2)
     (The Bundesbank left credit policies unchanged after today *apostrophe* s regular meeting of its council *comma* a spokesman said in answer to enquiries *period* The West German discount rate remains at 3 *period* 0 pct *comma* and the Lombard emergency financing rate at 5 *period* 0 pct *period* REUTER))

(0140 (financial) 
     (BANK OF FRANCE FOREIGN ASSETS RISE LATEST WEEK)
     (PARIS *comma* April 2)
     (Weekly figures published by the Bank of France showed its gross foreign assets rose by about two billion francs last week *comma* when it was reported by banks to have intervened on the foreign exchange markets to support the dollar against the yen *period* The figures showed its gold *comma* foreign currency and other external assets rose to 415 *period* 1 billion francs from 413 billion *comma* mainly reflecting a rise to 116 *period* 7 billion from 114 *period* 7 billion in foreign exchange holdings *period* REUTER))

(0141 (metal) 
     (40 MINERS TRAPPED BY FIRE IN GASPE COPPER MINE)
     (MURDOCHVILLE *comma* Que *period* *comma* April 2)
     (Some 40 miners were trapped underground today by a fire in a copper mine in the Gaspe area of eastern Quebec *comma* officials said *period* There were no reports of any deaths *period* A mine official said that the fire broke out last night and about 25 of the miners made it to safety *period* He said telephone contact had been established with the trapped miners but they could not be brought to the surface until the fire was extinguished *period* The cause of the fire was not known *period* Reuter))

(0142 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET GIVEN FURTHER 152 MLN STG HELP)
     (LONDON *comma* April 2)
     (The Bank of England said it had given the money market a further 152 mln stg assistance in the afternoon session *period* This takes the Bank *apostrophe* s total help so far today to 497 mln stg and compares with its forecast of a shortage in the system of around 700 mln stg which it earlier revised down from 800 mln *period* The central bank made outright purchases of bank bills comprising 34 mln stg in band one at 9 *dash* 7 *slash* 8 pct *comma* 39 mln stg in band two at 9 *dash* 13 *slash* 16 pct *comma* 51 mln stg in band three at 9 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct and 28 mln stg in band four at 9 *dash* 11 *slash* 16 pct *period* REUTER))

(0143 (organic) 
     (FRENCH FREE MARKET CEREAL EXPORT BIDS DETAILED)
     (PARIS *comma* April 2)
     (French operators have requested licences to export 422 *comma* 000 tonnes of free market maize *comma* 212 *comma* 000 tonnes of barley and 20 *comma* 000 tonnes of feed wheat at today *apostrophe* s EC tender *comma* trade sources said *period* For the maize *comma* rebates requested range between 129 *period* 25 and 138 *period* 74 European currency units per tonne *comma* for the barley between 138 *period* 94 and 145 Ecus and for feed wheat 141 *period* 75 Ecus *period* Reuter))

(0144 (financial) 
     (BANK OF FRANCE LEAVES INTERVENTION RATE UNCHANGED)
     (PARIS *comma* April 2)
     (The Bank of France said it left its intervention rate unchanged at 7 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct when it injected funds to the market against first category paper in todays money market intervention tender *period* Money market dealers had earlier expressed mixed views on a possible quarter point cut *period* The rate was last adjusted on March 9 *comma* when it was reduced to 7 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct from the eight pct rate set in January *period* REUTER))

(0145 (petro) 
     (NP ENERGY SAYS TRUSTEE APPOINTED)
     (LOS ANGELES *comma* April 2)
     (NP Energy Corp said the U *period* S *period* Bankruptcy Court has indicated it will appoint a trustee to oversee the company *apostrophe* s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings *period* It said it hopes the appointment will thwart *quote* hostile *quote* actions being pursued by two unsecured creditors to whose claims the company objects *period* NP further said the Nielsen 1 *dash* 20 well in Duchesne County *comma* Utah *comma* has tested 300 barrels of oil per day *period* NP owns a 61 pct working interest *period* Reuter))

(0146 (financial) 
     (TURKISH CENTRAL BANK SETS LIRA *slash* DOLLAR *comma*  DM RATES)
     (ANKARA *comma* April 2)
     (Turkey *apostrophe* s Central Bank set a lira *slash* dollar rate for April 3 of 782 *period* 50 *slash* 786 *period* 41 to the dollar *comma* down from 780 *period* 00 *slash* 783 *period* 90 *period* It set a lira *slash* D *dash* mark rate of 428 *period* 30 *slash* 430 *period* 44 to the mark *comma* up from 429 *period* 15 *slash* 431 *period* 30 *period* REUTER))

(0147 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET GIVEN 40 MLN STG LATE HELP)
     (LONDON *comma* April 2)
     (The Bank of England said it had provided the money market with around 40 mln stg late assistance *period* This takes the Bank *apostrophe* s total help today to some 537 mln stg and compares with its estimate of a 700 mln stg shortage *period* REUTER))

(0148 (organic) 
     (COLOMBIA BUYS 25 *comma* 000 TONNES FRENCH WHEAT *dash* TRADE)
     (PARIS *comma* April 2)
     (Colombia recently bought 25 *comma* 000 tonnes of French soft wheat at 108 dlrs per tonne *comma* c and f *comma* for end *dash* April shipment *comma* trade sources said *period* This follows the country *apostrophe* s tender for 25 *comma* 000 tonnes of optional origin wheat for shipment April 20 *dash* 30 *comma* they said *period* France had not sold wheat to Colombia for several years *period* Reuter))

(0149 (financial) 
     (NEW DUTCH SPECIAL ADVANCES UNCHANGED AT 5 *period* 3 PCT)
     (AMSTERDAM *comma* April 2)
     (The Dutch central bank announced new 12 *dash* day special advances at an unchanged rate of 5 *period* 3 pct to cover money market tightness for the period April 3 to 15 *period* The amount will be set at tender on April 3 between 0700 and 0730 hours GMT *period* The new facility replaces the current 4 *period* 2 billion guilders of nine *dash* day advances which expire tomorrow *period* Money market dealers said the rate for the new advances was in line with expectations *period* They added they expect the Bank to allocate between 4 *period* 0 and 4 *period* 5 billion guilders *period* REUTER))

(0150 (financial) 
     (EC MUST EXPLAIN FARM POLICY TO U *period* S *period*  *comma*  FRANCE SAYS)
     (PARIS *comma* April 2)
     (The U *period* S *period* and the European Community could enter into a new trade dispute unless urgent action is taken to explain EC farm policy to the U *period* S *period* Congress *comma* French official sources said *period* They said Prime Minister Jacques Chirac planned to urge EC Commission president Jacques Delors to send a team of experts to Washington as soon as possible *period* Chirac returned to Paris this morning after three days of talks in New York and Washington in which trade and protectionism featured prominently *period* At the centre of the new trade tension is an EC Commission proposal to tax vegetable oils *comma* the sources said *period* Reuter))

(0151 (organic) 
     (EC SETS EXPORT LICENCES ON 20 *comma* 000 TONNES MAIZE)
     (PARIS *comma* April 2)
     (The European Community Commission awarded export licences for 20 *comma* 000 tonnes free market French maize at a maximum export rebate of 129 *period* 40 European currency units *lparen* Ecus *rparen* per tonne *comma* trade sources said here *period* All requests for export licences for free market feed wheat and barley were rejected *comma* they said *period* Reuter))

(0152 (organic) 
     (PAKISTAN TO TENDER FOR RBD PALM OLEIN TOMORROW)
     (LONDON *comma* April 2)
     (Pakistan will tender tomorrow for 12 *comma* 000 tonnes of refined bleached deodorised palm olein tomorrow *comma* split in two equal cargo lots for first and second half April shipments *comma* traders said *period* The tender will be financed with Islamic Development Bank credit *period* Reuter))

(0153 (organic) 
     (USDA DENIES CHANGES IN TEXAS GULF DIFFERENTIALS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 2)
     (No changes have been made or are being planned in the Agriculture Department *apostrophe* s calculation of price differentials between interior grain locations and the Texas Gulf *comma* a senior USDA official said *period* Ralph Klopfenstein *comma* USDA deputy administrator for commodity operations *comma* told Reuters *comma* *quote* We do not anticipate any changes to be made *quote* in the Texas Gulf differentials used to calculate posted county prices for corn *period* *quote* We do not relate the Texas Gulf structure with the Louisiana Gulf structure at all *period* It *apostrophe* s a totally different situation *comma* *quote* he said *period* Rumors had circulated through the market this morning that USDA had widened Texas Gulf differentials in a similar manner to last weekend *apostrophe* s adjustments with the Louisiana Gulf *period* Reuter))

(0154 (financial) 
     (BANK OF JAPAN INTERVENES IN TOKYO MARKET)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 24)
     (The Bank of Japan intervened just after the Tokyo market opened to support the dollar from falling below 140 *period* 00 yen *comma* dealers said *period* The central bank bought a moderate amount of dollars to prevent its decline amid bearish sentiment for the U *period* S *period* Currency *comma* they said *period* The dollar opened at a record Tokyo low of 140 *period* 00 yen against 140 *period* 70 *slash* 80 in New York and 141 *period* 15 at the close here yesterday *period* The previous Tokyo low was 140 *period* 55 yen set on April 15 *period* REUTER))

(0155 (financial) 
     (AUSTRALIA *quote* S M-3 MONEY SUPPLY RISE 1 *period* 5 PCT IN MARCH)
     (SYDNEY *comma* April 24)
     (Australia *apostrophe* s M *dash* 3 money supply growth was 1 *period* 5 pct in March and 11 *period* 3 pct in the 12 months to March *comma* the Reserve Bank said *period* This compared with a revised rise of 0 *period* 5 pct in February and 11 *period* 1 pct in the year to end *dash* February *period* The Reserve Bank said the M *dash* 3 data for March was affected by the start of the operations of *comma* which has resulted in the transfer of deposits *lparen* equivalent to around 1 *period* 5 pct of m *dash* 3 *rparen* from the United Permanent Building Society to National Mutual Royal Savings Bank Ltd *period* The Reserve Bank said M *dash* 3 money supply in March was 110 *period* 77 billion Australian dlrs compared with a revised 109 *period* 11 billion in February and 99 *period* 48 billion in March *comma* 1986 *period* M *dash* 3 is deposits of the private sector held by trading and savings banks plus holdings of notes and coins *period* REUTER))

(0156 (financial) 
     (JAPAN DOES NOT INTEND TO EASE CREDIT *dash* OFFICIALS)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 24)
     (The Bank of Japan does not intend to ease credit policy further *comma* bank officials told Reuters *period* They were responding to rumours in the Japanese bond market that the central bank was planning to cut its 2 *period* 5 pct discount rate soon *comma* possibly before Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone leaves for Washington on April 29 *period* Bank of Japan governor Satoshi Sumita will be in Osaka *comma* western Japan on April 27 and 28 for the annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank *comma* making a rate cut announcement early next week a virtual impossibility *comma* they said *period* April 29 is a holiday here *period* REUTER))

(0157 (petro) 
     (COOPER BASIN NATURAL GAS RESERVES UPGRADED)
     (ADELAIDE *comma* April 3)
     (Remaining recoverable gas reserves in the areas held by the Santos Ltd *dash* led Cooper Basin joint ventures have been upgraded to 2 *comma* 721 *period* 7 billion cubic feet *lparen* bcf *rparen* from the 2 *comma* 466 estimated last May *comma* Santos said *period* The upgrading followed a re *dash* review by consultant in light of the large number of gas finds since May 1986 *comma* Santos said in a statement *period* This means that total contractual commitments of 2 *comma* 455 *period* 5 bcf to of New South Wales and the Pipeline Authority of South Australia can be met with spare gas available for sale in South Australia *comma* it said *period* REUTER))

(0158 (organic) 
     (JAPAN *slash* U *period* S *period*  AGRICULTURE TALKS SET FOR APRIL 17 *comma*  20)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 3)
     (Agriculture Minister Mutsuki Kato said he will meet U *period* S *period* Agriculture Secretary Richard Lyng here on April 17 and 20 to discuss bilateral farm trade issues *period* Lyng will visit Tokyo from April 16 to 27 *period* Kato told reporters after a cabinet meeting all topics of concern to the U *period* S *period* Will be discussed *comma* such as trade in beef and oranges and import controls on farm products *period* He said Shintaro Abe *comma* the ruling Liberal Democratic Party *apostrophe* s executive council chairman *comma* would propose some unspecified measures in response to demands to ease import controls on U *period* S *period* Farm products *period* Kato declined to give any details *period* REUTER))

(0159 (financial) 
     (NEW DUTCH ADVANCES TOTAL 4 *period* 1 BILLION GUILDERS)
     (AMSTERDAM *comma* April 3)
     (The Duth Central bank said it accepted bids totalling 4 *period* 086 billion guilders at tender for the new twelve *dash* day special advances at an unchanged 5 *period* 3 pct *period* Bids up to 30 mln guilders were met in full *comma* amounts above at 40 pct *period* The new advances *comma* covering the period April 3 to 15 *comma* replace the current 4 *period* 2 billion guilder nine *dash* day facility at 5 *period* 3 pct *comma* which expires today *period* Money market dealers said the total amount allocated was in line with expectations and would be sufficient to cover the money market shortage for the duration of the facility *period* REUTER))

(0160 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET DEFICIT FORECAST AT 700 MLN STG)
     (LONDON *comma* April 3)
     (The Bank of England said it has forecast a shortage of around 700 mln stg in the system today *period* Among the main factors *comma* maturing assistance and take *dash* up of treasury bills will drain 546 mln stg *comma* bills for repurchase by the market 76 mln *comma* a rise in note circulation 310 mln and bankers balances below target 105 mln *period* The outflow will be partly offset by 340 mln stg exchequer transactions *period* REUTER))

(0161 (organic) 
     (PORLA CRUDE PALM OIL TRADE REPORT FOR APRIL 2)
     (KUALA LUMPUR *comma* April 3)
     (The Palm Oil Registration and Licensing Authority *lparen* PORLA *rparen* reports trade in crude palm oil *lparen* cpo *rparen* on April 2 as follows in ringgit per tonne delivered unless stated *period* April 752 *period* 50 south and central 751 north average 752 *period* 50 down 6 *period* 50 *period* May 750 south down 11 *period* Refined palm oil traded in bulk US dlrs per tonne fob *period* RBD palm oil May 320 *period* RBD palm olein April 336 May 337 *period* 50 June 337 *period* RBD palm stearin May 275 *period* The cpo market was lower in light trading *comma* with April traded between 747 *period* 50 and 755 ringgit per tonne *period* The refined palm oil market was slightly easier and April delivery of RBD palm olein to Singapore traded at 856 *period* 50 ringgit per tonne *period* REUTER))

(0162 (financial) 
     (TAIWAN ISSUES MORE CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT)
     (TAIPEI *comma* April 3)
     (The Central Bank issued 5 *period* 65 billion dlrs worth of certificates of deposit *lparen* CDs *rparen* *comma* boosting CD issues so far this year to 147 *period* 58 billion *comma* a bank spokesman told Reuters *period* The new CDs *comma* with maturities of six months *comma* one year and two years *comma* carry interest rates ranging from 4 *period* 07 pct to 5 *period* 12 pct *comma* he said *period* The issues are intended to help curb the growth of the M *dash* 1b money supply which has grown as a result of increasing foreign exchange reserves *period* The reserves hit a record 53 billion U *period* S *period* Dlrs last month *period* REUTER))

(0163 (financial) 
     (SWEDISH PRIME MINISTER *quote* S CHINA VISIT BOOSTS TRADE)
     (PEKING *comma* April 3)
     (An big expansion in bilateral trade is expected as a result of Swedish Prime Minister Ingvar Carlsson *apostrophe* s visit to China *comma* a official of China *apostrophe* s Foreign Economic Relations and Trade Ministry official said *period* He told the China Daily that petroleum *comma* coal *comma* cotton *comma* non *dash* ferrous metals and electric engines could help balance the trade running at over three *dash* to *dash* one in Sweden *apostrophe* s favour *period* Total trade reached 290 mln dlrs last year *comma* up 32 pct on 1985 *comma* according to Chinese statistics *period* Swedish sources said major paper mill projects and an aviation agreement would be discussed during Carlsson *apostrophe* s one week visit *period* REUTER))

(0164 (organic) 
     (TAIWAN BUYS 54 *comma* 000 TONNES OF U *period* S *period*  SOYBEANS)
     (TAIPEI *comma* April 3)
     (The joint committee of Taiwan soybean importers awarded a contract to Cigra Inc of Chicago to supply a 54 *comma* 000 tonne cargo of U *period* S *period* Soybeans *comma* a committee spokesman told Reuters *period* The cargo *comma* priced at 213 *period* 87 U *period* S *period* Dlrs per tonne c and f Taiwan *comma* is for delivery between April 20 and May 5 *period* REUTER))

(0165 (financial) 
     (SOUTH KOREAN MONEY SUPPLY FALLS IN MARCH)
     (SEOUL *comma* April 3)
     (South Korea *apostrophe* s M *dash* 2 money supply fell two pct to 33 *comma* 463 *period* 4 billion won in March from 34 *comma* 030 *period* 3 billion in February *comma* provisional Bank of Korea figures show *period* It rose a revised 0 *period* 5 pct in February and was up 14 *period* 7 pct from a year earlier *period* M *dash* 1 money supply fell 8 *period* 7 pct to 7 *comma* 767 *period* 8 billion won in March against a revised rise of 4 *period* 3 pct in February *period* It has increased 8 *period* 3 pct since March last year *period* Bank officials said the March falls were due mainly to various measures by the bank to absorb excess money *period* REUTER))

(0166 (organic) 
     (LONDON SUGAR OPENS STEADY BUT QUIET)
     (LONDON *comma* April 3)
     (Raw sugar futures had a quiet opening call of 38 lots with prices holding steady from last night with gains of 20 to 80 cents a tonne *comma* dealers said *period* Aug was trading at 157 *period* 60 dlrs from 157 *period* 40 asked yesterday *period* The modest rise continued the recent rally from an oversold situation but *comma* dealers noted *comma* there was little fresh physicals news to stimulate activity *period* Whites tenders are scheduled for next Wednesday by Syria for 36 *comma* 000 tonnes and Greece for 40 *comma* 000 tonnes while Pakistan is due to tender on April 11 for 100 *comma* 000 tonnes whites *comma* they said *period* This week has seen whites buying by India and Egypt *period* REUTER))

(0167 (organic) 
     (U *period* K *period*  WHEAT MARKET EASES ON INTERVENTION RELEASE)
     (LONDON *comma* April 3)
     (U *period* K *period* Domestic wheat markets dropped about one stg per tonne early this morning following overnight news that the EC is releasing a further 300 *comma* 000 tonnes of wheat from British intervention stores for the home market over a three month period *period* April deliveries of denaturable wheat were offered in East Anglia at 124 stg and May at 125 stg per tonne *comma* both one stg down on yesterday *apostrophe* s traded rates *period* The market is expecting U *period* K *period* Wheat futures to show a similar loss at today *apostrophe* s opening *period* REUTER))

(0168 (organic) 
     (LONDON SUGAR TRADES AT SESSION HIGHS BY MIDMORNING)
     (LONDON *comma* April 3)
     (Raw sugar futures firmed to session highs by midmorning *comma* securing gains from last night *apostrophe* s basically steady close of 1 *period* 00 to 1 *period* 80 dlrs a tonne in a 166 lot volume *period* Shortcovering against an oversold situation continued to play a part in the extended rally with unsettled dollar rates versus sterling providing additional support *period* Recent and prospective whites buying in the world market was supportive but the raws section lacked feature *comma* dealers said *period* India and Egypt bought white sugar this week while next week sees tenders by Pakistan *comma* Greece and Syria *comma* they said *period* May was at 154 dlrs from 152 *period* 80 asked last night *period* All London Daily prices rose two dlrs a tonne on tone *period* The Raws price was set at 150 dlrs Fob and 173 dlrs *lparen* 107 *period* 50 stg *rparen* Cif *period* The Whites price was at 192 dlrs from 190 yesterday *period* REUTER))

(0169 (organic) 
     (INDIA BUYS VEGETABLE OILS *comma*  PAKISTAN TO RETENDER)
     (LONDON *comma* April 3)
     (The Indian State Trading Corporation *lparen* STC *rparen* bought 20 *comma* 000 tonnes of optional origin soybean oil and 6 *comma* 000 tonnes of rbd palm olein at its import tender yesterday *comma* traders said *period* Pakistan *comma* however *comma* rejected offers at its tender for 12 *comma* 000 tonnes of rbd palm oil *comma* but is expected to reenter the market next week *comma* they said *period* The STC soyoil purchase was for May 20 *slash* Jun 20 shipment at 319 dlrs per tonne cif and the palm olein for Apr 25 *slash* May 25 shipment at 355 dlrs per tonne *period* REUTER))

(0170 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET RECEIVES 170 MLN STG HELP)
     (LONDON *comma* April 3)
     (The Bank of England said it has operated in the money market this morning *comma* purchasing 170 mln stg bank bills *period* This compares with the Bank *apostrophe* s revised estimate of a 750 mln stg shortfall *period* In band two the Bank bought 72 mln stg at 9 *dash* 13 *slash* 16 pct *comma* in band three 52 mln at 9 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct and in band four 46 mln at 9 *dash* 11 *slash* 16 pct *period* REUTER))

(0171 (financial) 
     (JAPAN ASKS BANKS TO CUT DOLLAR SALES *dash* DEALERS)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 3)
     (The Finance Ministry has asked Japanese commercial banks to moderate their dollar sales *comma* bank dealers said *period* They said the Ministry had telephoned city and long *dash* term banks earlier this week to make the request *period* One dealer said this was the first time the Ministry had made such a request to commercial banks *period* Finance Ministry officials were unavailable for immediate comment *period* Dealers said the Ministry has already asked institutional investors to reduce their sales of the dollar *period* REUTER))

(0172 (metal) 
     (CBT METALS *slash* FINANCIALS DELIVERY LOCATIONS)
     (Chicago *comma* April 3)
     (The following deliveries are scheduled for April 6 against Chicago Baord of Trade Futures *dash* Silver *dash* 392 lots at Chicago *comma* Illinois *period* Kilo Gold *dash* 21 lots *period* 16 at Chicago *comma* Illinois *comma* 5 at New York *comma* New York *period* Reuter))

(0173 (financial) 
     (GERMAN NET CURRENCY RESERVES RISE)
     (FRANKFURT *comma* April 3)
     (West German net currency reserves rose by 200 mln marks in the fourth week of March to 82 *period* 2 billion *comma* following a rise of 300 mln marks in the previous week *comma* the Bundesbank said *period* Non *dash* currency reserves were unchanged at about 2 *period* 5 billion marks *comma* bringing net monetary reserves to 84 *period* 7 billion *period* REUTER))

(0174 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET DEFICIT FURTHER REVISED UPWARD)
     (LONDON *comma* April 3)
     (The Bank of England said it has revised its estimate of today *apostrophe* s shortfall to 800 mln stg from 750 mln *comma* before taking account of 170 mln stg morning assistance *period* REUTER))

(0175 (organic) 
     (DUTCH GREEN COFFEE IMPORTS FALL IN JANUARY)
     (HEERLEN *comma* April 3)
     (Dutch green coffee imports fell to 10 *comma* 430 tonnes in January from 13 *comma* 506 tonnes in January 1986 *comma* and exports fell to 366 tonnes from 615 *comma* the Central Bureau of Statistics said *period* Imports of Colombian coffee were 2 *comma* 169 tonnes *lparen* 3 *comma* 025 in January 1986 *rparen* *comma* Brazilian 483 *lparen* 3 *comma* 715 *rparen* *comma* Indonesian 455 *lparen* 145 *rparen* *comma* Guatemalan 196 *lparen* 126 *rparen* *comma* Cameroun 464 *lparen* 560 *rparen* and Ivory Coast 353 *lparen* 839 *rparen* *period* Reuter))

(0176 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET GETS 347 MLN STG AFTERNOON HELP)
     (LONDON *comma* April 3)
     (The Bank of England said it has operated in the money market this afternoon *comma* buying back bills totalling 347 mln stg *period* This brings the total help so far today to 517 mln stg and compares with the Bank *apostrophe* s revised estimate of an 800 mln stg shortfall *period* The central bank purchased in band one 20 mln stg at 9 *dash* 7 *slash* 8 pct *comma* in band two 254 mln at 9 *dash* 13 *slash* 16 pct *comma* in band three 66 mln at 9 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct and in band four seven mln stg at 9 *dash* 11 *slash* 16 pct *period* REUTER))

(0177 (financial) 
     (PHILIPPINES SAYS DEBT PACT BETTER THAN MEXICO *quote* S)
     (MANILA *comma* April 3)
     (Central bank governor Jose Fernandez said the 10 *period* 3 billion dlr debt restructuring package he and Finance Secretary Jaime Ongpin negotiated with the Philippines *apostrophe* commercial creditors was better than Mexico *apostrophe* s *period* *quote* I think we got a better deal *period* It was really an enormous drop *comma* a reduction in rates and that to me is the critical element *comma* *quote* he told Reuters *period* He was reacting to comments by local economists who said Manila *apostrophe* s debt accord was no better than Mexico *apostrophe* s *comma* which was a 20 *dash* year repayment *comma* including a seven *dash* year grace last year at 13 *slash* 16 points over London interbank offered rates *lparen* Libor *rparen* *period* The Philippines clinched a repayment of 17 years *comma* including a grace period of 7 *dash* 1 *slash* 2 years on 10 *period* 3 billion dlrs of its total debt of 27 *period* 8 billion *period* Reuter))

(0178 (metal) 
     (SURALCO OFFERS CASH FOR WORKERS TO LEAVE)
     (THE HAGUE *comma* April 3)
     (The U *period* S *period* *dash* owned *lparen* SURALCO *rparen* offered workers a lump sum and up to five months *apostrophe* wages to quit the firm because jungle *dash* based rebels have disrupted bauxite mining and alumina smelting *comma* ANP said *period* The Dutch news agency said SURALCO *comma* a subsidiary of the Aluminum Company of America *lparen* ALCOA *rparen* wanted to reduce its work force because it had been hard hit by guerrilla attacks that cut power lines to the area in January *period* All bauxite mining at Moengo ceased four months ago and SURALCO *apostrophe* s Paranam alumina smelter is using imported bauxite *period* Reuter))

(0179 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET RECEIVES 205 MLN STG LATE HELP)
     (LONDON *comma* April 3)
     (The Bank of England said it has provided around 205 mln stg late assistance to the market *comma* bringing the total help today to 722 mln which compares with the Bank *apostrophe* s revised deficit forecast of 800 mln stg *period* REUTER))

(0180 (financial) 
     (BELGIAN MONEY SUPPLY RISES IN FOURTH QUARTER 1986)
     (BRUSSELS *comma* April 3)
     (Belgian total money stock rose to 1 *comma* 140 *period* 4 billion francs at the end of 1986 from 1 *comma* 115 *period* 4 billion at the end of the third quarter of last year and 1 *comma* 055 *period* 0 billion at the end of 1985 *comma* Belgian National Bank figures showed *period* Paper money rose to 404 *period* 1 billion francs from 394 *period* 1 billion and 383 *period* 5 billion respectively *comma* other forms of privately held money to 679 *period* 5 billion from 652 *period* 7 billion and 616 *period* 0 billion *period* Money held by the public authorities fell to 56 *period* 8 billion francs from 68 *period* 6 billion at the end of the previous quarter but was above the 55 *period* 5 billion at the end of 1985 *comma* the bank said *period* The government does not set money supply targets *comma* arguing they are inappropriate to a small economy with major trading and monetary links with much larger trading countries *period* REUTER))

(0181 (organic) 
     (BRAZILIAN COFFEE RAINFALL)
     (SAO PAULO *comma* APRIL 3)
     (THE FOLLOWING RAINFALL WAS RECORDDD IN THE AREAS OVER THE PAST 24 HOURS PARANA STATE UMUARAMA 10 *period* 6 MILLIMETRES *comma* PARANAVAI 12 *period* 2 MM *comma* LONDRINA 6 *period* 0 MM *comma* MARINGA 8 *period* 0 MM *period* SAO PAULO STATE *colon*  PRESIDENZE PRUDENTE 1 *period* 0 MM *comma* VOTUPORANGA 26 *period* 0 MM *comma* FRANCA NIL *comma* CATANDUVA 0 *period* 1 MM *comma* SAO CARLOS NIL *comma* SAO SIMAO NIL *period* REUTER))

(0182 (petro) 
     (NERCO TO ACQUIRE INTEREST IN GAS FILED)
     (PORTLAND *comma* Ore *period* *comma* April 3)
     (Nerco Inc said it has agreed to acquire a 47 pct working interest in the Broussard Gas Field in southern Louisiana from privately *dash* owned for about 22 *period* 5 mln dlrs in cash *period* Nerco said the interest being purchased will give it estimated proven oil and gas reserves equal to six billion cubic feet of natural gas *period* The property includes six gas wells *comma* one oil well two undeveloped drilling locations *comma* a central production facility and a gas gathering system *period* Nerco is 90 pct owned by PacifiCorp *period* Reuter))

(0183 (financial) 
     (TURKISH CENTRAL BANK SETS LIRA *slash* DOLLAR *comma*  DM RATES)
     (ANKARA *comma* April 3)
     (Turkey *apostrophe* s Central Bank set a lira *slash* dollar rate for April 6 of 781 *period* 95 *slash* 785 *period* 86 to the dollar *comma* up from 782 *period* 50 *slash* 786 *period* 41 *period* It set a lira *slash* D *dash* mark rate of 430 *period* 15 *slash* 432 *period* 30 to the mark *comma* down from 428 *period* 30 *slash* 430 *period* 44 *period* REUTER))

(0184 (metal) 
     (CYPRUS LOWERS COPPER PRICE ONE CT TO 66 CTS)
     (DENVER *comma* April 3)
     (Cyprus Minerals Company said it is decreasing its electrolytic copper cathode price by one cent to 66 *period* 0 cents a pound *comma* effective immediately *period* Reuter))

(0185 (financial) 
     (FED EXPECTED TO TAKE NO MONEY MARKET ACTION)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 3)
     (The Federal Reserve is expected to take no reserve *dash* management action in the U *period* S *period* Government securities market during its usual intervention period *comma* economists said *period* They said that *comma* if the Fed does act *comma* it will likely add temporary reserves indirectly by arranging one to 1 *period* 5 billion dlrs of customer repurchase agreements *period* Federal funds *comma* which averaged 6 *period* 14 pct yesterday *comma* opened at 5 *dash* 15 *slash* 16 pct and remained there in early trading *period* Analysts believe this probably is about where the Fed wants the funds rate to be *period* Reuter))

(0186 (petro) 
     (BP SAYS NO PLANS TO CLOSE SWEDISH REFINERY)
     (LONDON *comma* April 2)
     (The British Petroleum Co Plc said it had no plans to close its refinery in Gothenburg *comma* despite forecasts by a Swedish finance ministry committee that it might be planning such a move *period* The committee said the refinery *apostrophe* s future looked bleak because the Swedish petroleum industry *apostrophe* s competitiveness was expected to worsen unless it invested *comma* and because of the effects of a possible tightening of rules on sulphur content *period* But BP said the unit *comma* in which Sweden *apostrophe* s has a 22 pct stake *comma* had performed well both technically and financially up to and including the first quarter of 1987 *period* Current restrictions on sulphur emissions and known future plans for both Sweden and export markets did not cause it any serious problems *comma* it said in a statement *period* The refinery started up in 1967 and has an annual capacity of 4 *period* 7 mln tonnes *period* REUTER))

(0187 (organic) 
     (POLYSAR IN JOINT VENTURE ON FINLAND LATEX PLANT)
     (SARNIA *comma* Ontario *comma* April 3)
     (Polysar Ltd *comma* wholly owned by *comma* said it agreed to form a joint venture with Raision Tehtaat *comma* of Finland *comma* to build a synthetic rubber latex plant in southern Finland *period* Project cost and plant capacity were not disclosed *period* The joint venture *comma* to be 51 pct owned by Raision Tehtaat and 49 pct by Polysar *comma* will build a plant at Anjalankoski *comma* east of Helsinki *comma* to produce carboxylated styrene *dash* butadiene latex *period* The plant *apostrophe* s production will be used by Finland *apostrophe* s paper industry for making coated paper and paper board products *period* Reuter))

(0188 (metal) 
     (CHILE *comma*  CHINA TO ESTABLISH PEKING COPPER PLANT)
     (LONDON *comma* April 3)
     (The Chilean state copper corporation *comma* Codelco *comma* the privately *dash* owned Chilean copper fabricator Madeco and Chinese interests are to establish a copper tube plant in Peking *comma* Codelco *apostrophe* s U *period* K *period* Subsidiary Chile Copper Ltd said *period* The plant is designed to produce 5 *comma* 000 tonnes in the first five years and 8 *comma* 000 tonnes as from year six *period* Total investment is estimated at 10 mln dlrs *comma* of which the Chileans will contribute two mln *period* Codelco and Madeco have formed the Chilean Wrought Copper Company to take a 50 pct stake in a new company called Peking Santiago Tube Company with the Chinese holding the other half *period* Reuter))

(0189 (organic) 
     (JAPANESE CRUSHERS BUY CANADIAN RAPESEED)
     (WINNIPEG *comma* April 3)
     (Japanese crushers bought 4 *comma* 000 to 5 *comma* 000 tonnes of Canadian rapeseed in export business overnight for May shipment *comma* trade sources said *period* Reuter))

(0190 (metal) 
     (NORANDA MINE SEEN BELOW FULL OUTPUT FOR MONTHS)
     (MURDOCHVILLE *comma* Quebec *comma* April 3)
     (Noranda Inc said production will remain shut down at its fire *dash* damaged copper mine here until it can completely examine the mine *period* If it decides to keep the mine open it would take four or five months before it could resume full production *period* Company spokesman Dale Coffin said the investigation could take from a few days to several weeks but would not be more specific *period* Noranda said when it resumes production it plans to operate the mine at about one *dash* third of the normal 72 *comma* 000 tonnes annual finished capacity *period* The fire *comma* which started Wednesday and burned itself out late yesterday weakened part of the mine *apostrophe* s support structure *comma* Coffin said *period* One miner was killed and 56 others were trapped underground for about 24 hours before being brought safely out *period* Reuter))

(0191 (metal) 
     (NORANDA SETS TEMPORARY MINE SHUTDOWN)
     (Murdochville *comma* Quebec *comma* April 3)
     (said production will remain shut down at its fire *dash* damaged copper mine here until it can completely examine the mine *period* The fire *comma* which started Wednesday and burned itself out late yesterday *comma* killed one miner and trapped 56 others underground for about 24 hours *period* The 56 were eventually brought safely out of the mine *period* Company spokesman Dale Coffin said the investigation could take from a few days to several weeks *comma* but would not be more specific *period* Noranda said that *comma* when it resumes production *comma* it plans to operate the mine at about one *dash* third of the normal 72 *comma* 000 metric tons annual finished capacity *period* The fire weakened part of the mine *apostrophe* s support structure *comma* Coffin said *period* Noranda said if it decides to keep the mine open *comma* it would take four or five months before it could resume full production *period* Reuter))

(0192 (metal) 
     (MINAS DE ALMADEN RAISES MERCURY PRICE)
     (MADRID *comma* April 3)
     (Spain *apostrophe* s Minas de Almaden y Arrayanes S *period* A *period* has agreed with Algerian producer ENOF to establish a minimum price of 300 dlrs per flask for spot mercury sales *comma* Almaden spokesman Jesus Gallego said *period* In response to enquiries from Reuters *comma* he said his company had raised the minimum price for its spot sales from 240 dlrs per flask following talks with ENOF *period* In a separate press release *comma* the company said that ENOF and Almaden held talks in Istanbul a week ago with Turkish mercury producers on ways to improve prices *comma* but Gallego said he was not in a position to say what action the Turkish companies would be taking *period* Reuter))

(0193 (organic) 
     (ADM GRAIN ELEVATOR EXPLODES IN BURLINGTON *comma*  IOWA)
     (CHICAGO *comma* April 3)
     (A grain elevator in Burlington *comma* Iowa *comma* exploded today *comma* leaving five injured *period* The elevator *comma* operated by Archer Daniels Midland Co *period* of Decatur *comma* Ill *period* *comma* is a terminal elevator on the Mississippi River *comma* Doug Snyder *comma* assistant to the vice president said *period* The cause of the explosion and the extent of damage to the elevator was not immediatley known *period* Reuter))

(0194 (organic) 
     (U *period* S *period*  GRAIN CARLOADINGS FALL IN WEEK)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 3)
     (U *period* S *period* grain carloadings totaled 25 *comma* 744 cars in the week ended March 28 *comma* down 4 *period* 3 pct from the previous week but 41 *period* 6 pct above the corresponding week a year ago *comma* the Association of American Railroads reported *period* Grain mill product loadings in the week totalled 10 *comma* 920 cars *comma* up 0 *period* 1 pct from the previous week and 12 *period* 7 pct above the same week a year earlier *comma* the association said *period* Reuter))

(0195 (organic) 
     (CCC ACCEPTS EXPORT BONUS FOR WHEAT TO SRI LANKA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 3)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said it has accepted a bid for an export bonus to cover the sale of 50 *comma* 000 tonnes of hard red winter wheat to Sri Lanka *period* A bonus of 37 *period* 44 dlrs per tonne was awarded to Continental Grain Co on the shipment scheduled for April 8 *dash* 16 *comma* Melvin Sims *comma* USDA general sales manager said *period* An additional 10 *comma* 000 tonnes of wheat are still available to Sri Lanka under the export enhancement program *comma* Sims said *period* Reuter))

(0196 (organic) 
     (U *period* S *period*  DURUM WHEAT BONUS BID TO ALGERIA ACCEPTED)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 3)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said it has accepted a bid for an export bonus to cover the sale of 18 *comma* 000 tonnes of U *period* S *period* durum wheat to Algeria *period* A bonus of 43 *period* 25 dlrs per tonne was awarded to Cam USA Inc on the shipment scheduled for June 20 *dash* 30 *comma* Melvin Sims *comma* USDA general sales manager *comma* said *period* An additional 228 *comma* 000 tonnes of durum wheat are available to Algeria under the department *apostrophe* s export enhancement program *comma* Sims said *period* Reuter))

(0197 (organic) 
     (USDA OFFERS EEP BARLEY MALT TO COLOMBIA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 3)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department announced Colombia has been made eligible for sales of up to 15 *comma* 000 tonnes of barley malt under the department *apostrophe* s export enhancement program *comma* EEP *period* As with the previous 64 EEP initiatives *comma* sales of U *period* S *period* barley malt would be made to buyers in Colombia at competitive world prices *comma* USDA said *period* The export sales would be subsidized with commodities from the inventory of the Commodity Credit Corp and enable U *period* S *period* exporters to compete at commercial prices in the Colombian market *comma* USDA said *period* Reuter))

(0198 (petro) 
     (TEXAS PETROLEUM ACQUIRES OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES)
     (DALLAS *comma* April 3)
     (Texas Petroleum Corp said it issued 14 *period* 4 mln shares of restricted common stock in exchange for oil and gas properties and joint ventures located in the U *period* S *period* and overseas *period* The properties were acquired from and Texas Petroleum Corp in Canada *comma* the company said *period* It added the acquisitions were the first step toward creating an oil and gas exploration and development enterprise *period* Reuter))

(0199 (organic) 
     (TURKEY ELIGIBLE FOR U *period* S *period*  BONUS RICE)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 3)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said Turkey has been made eligible for the sale of up to 70 *comma* 000 tonnes of medium grain milled rice under the department *apostrophe* s export enhancement program *comma* EEP *period* As with the 65 previous EEP initiatives *comma* the export sales would be subsidized with commodities from the inventory of the Commodity Credit Corp and made at competitive world prices *comma* USDA said *period* Reuter))

(0200 (petro) 
     (PETROBRAS SEES RAISING EXPORT OF FUEL IN 1987)
     (RIO DE JANEIRO *comma* April 3)
     (Brazil *apostrophe* s state oil company Petrobras is pledging to export 4 *period* 6 mln cubic meters of fuel *comma* or 28 *period* 9 mln barrels in 1987 *comma* a company spokesman said *period* He said that represents a total sale worth 600 mln dlrs *period* The volume is 27 pct higher over 1986 sales *comma* which totalled 3 *period* 6 mln cubic meters *comma* or 22 *period* 6 mln barrels *period* The United States *comma* Africa and Latin American are Brazil *apostrophe* s main fuel buyers *comma* the spokesman said *period* Reuter))

(0201 (financial) 
     (U *period* S *period*  BUSINESS LOANS FELL 822 MLN DLRS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 3)
     (Business loans on the books of major U *period* S *period* banks *comma* excluding acceptances *comma* fell 822 mln dlrs to 277 *period* 94 billion dlrs in the week ended March 25 *comma* the Federal Reserve Board said *period* The Fed said that business loans including acceptances fell 971 mln dlrs to 280 *period* 22 billion dlrs *period* Reuter))

(0202 (organic) 
     (IBC COULD CLOSE MAY EXPORT REGISTRATIONS TONIGHT)
     (RIO DE JANEIRO *comma* April 3)
     (The Brazilian Coffee Institute *lparen* IBC *rparen* could close May export registrations tonight following extremely heavy sales today *comma* exporters said *period* They estimated registrations today at between 1 *period* 0 mln and 1 *period* 2 mln 60 kilo bags *period* Yesterday 645 *comma* 000 bags were registered *period* The exporters said over 1 *period* 0 mln bags of total registrations could have been the declaration of sales made in the six weeks during which books were closed *period* The rest would be new sales *period* When the IBC opened May registrations from yesterday it did not set any volume limit *period* April registrations opened and closed on February 16 when a daily record 1 *period* 68 mln bags were declared *period* Reuter))

(0203 (organic) 
     (ARGENTINE GRAIN *slash* OILSEED EXPORT PRICES ADJUSTED)
     (BUENOS AIRES *comma* April 3)
     (The Argentine Grain Board adjusted minimum export prices of grain and oilseed products in dlrs per tonne FOB *comma* previous in brackets *comma* as follows *colon*  Maize 71 *lparen* 72 *rparen* *comma* grain sorghum 65 *lparen* 66 *rparen* *period* Roasted groundnutseed *comma* according to grain size *comma* 510 *lparen* 520 *rparen* *comma* 400 *lparen* 410 *rparen* *comma* 375 *lparen* 385 *rparen* *comma* 355 *lparen* 365 *rparen* *period* Soybean pellets for shipments through May 164 *lparen* 162 *rparen* and June onwards 161 *lparen* 159 *rparen* *period* REUTER))

(0204 (financial) 
     (venezuelan bank begins signing debt contracts)
     (Caracas *comma* april 3)
     (the central bank began signing contracts by which it will provide dollars at a preferential rate for the payment of 7 *period* 8 billion dlrs of foreign debt *comma* under a new plan announced last december *period* A statement from the bank said twelve companies have already been called to sign the agreements and the process is expected to continue in the coming weeks *period* Under the new eight *dash* year repayment plan *comma* private sector debtors may obtain dollars at the preferential 7 *period* 50 bolivar rate by paying a premium of of 3 bolivars on principal and up to 1 *period* 50 bolivars on interest *period* Reuter))

(0205 (petro) 
     (COLOMBIA *quote* S MAIN OIL PIPELINE ATTACKED)
     (BOGOTA *comma* April 3)
     (State *dash* run oil company Ecopetrol said Colombia *apostrophe* s main oil pipeline was bombed again and pumping of 170 *comma* 000 barrels per day was suspended *period* A spokeswoman for the company said that the early morning dynamite attack was the 31st in the last nine months on the Cano Limon *dash* Covenas pipeline *comma* which links Colombia *apostrophe* s biggest oilfied at Cravo Norte to the Caribbean *period* She said about 2 *comma* 000 barrels of crude were spilled and could not indicate when pumping would resume *period* The attack was near Magangue in northeastern Bolivar province *period* Ecopetrol is exploiting Cravo Norte in association with Occidental Petroleum Corp and Shell Petroleum N *period* V *period* *comma* a unit of the Royal Dutch *slash* Shell Group *period* Ecopetrol said in a communique that bombings since last July led to a loss of more than 110 *comma* 000 barrels of crude *comma* or the equivalent of 10 mln dlrs *period* Reuter))

(0206 (organic) 
     (IBC REGISTERS 1 *period* 4 MLN BAGS OF EXPORT SALES)
     (RIO DE JANEIRO *comma* April 3)
     (The Brazilian Coffee Institute today registered 1 *period* 4 mln 60 kilo bags of green coffee for May shipment *comma* an IBC statement said *period* This brings the total in the two days registrations have been open to 2 *period* 05 mln *comma* including 4 *comma* 868 bags of soluble *period* Today *apostrophe* s registrations comprised 1 *comma* 076 *comma* 226 bags to members and 326 *comma* 259 to non *dash* members of the International Coffee Organisation *period* No soluble sales were registered today *period* Reuter))

(0207 (petro) 
     (BRAZIL MAKES SECOND AMAZON OIL DISCOVERY)
     (BRASILIA *comma* April 3)
     (The Brazilian state oil company Petrobras has made a second oil discovery in the Amazon region *comma* President Jose Sarney said *period* He said the well had an initial flow of 150 *comma* 000 cubic meters of gas and 220 barrels of oil per day *period* It is situated 14 kilometres from the first well to be discovered in the region last year *comma* which is currently yielding 500 *comma* 000 cubic meters of gas and 900 barrels of oil daily *period* The wells *comma* the biggest onshore well in the country *comma* are on the banks of the river Uruc in the Amazon basin 3 *comma* 600 kilometres *lparen* 2 *comma* 250 miles *rparen* north of Brasilia *period* Reuter))

(0208 (organic) 
     (IBC CLOSES EXPORT REGISTRATIONS *dash* EXPORTERS)
     (RIO DE JANEIRO *comma* April 3)
     (The Brazilian Coffee Institute *lparen* IBC *rparen* tonight closed export registrations *comma* exporters said *period* They said they heard of the closure from IBC officials but no officials could be reached immediately for confirmation *period* Earlier an IBC statement said registrations for May *comma* the only month which was open *comma* today totalled 1 *period* 4 mln bags of 60 kilos to bring the total registered for the month to 2 *period* 05 mln *period* Reuter))

(0209 (financial) 
     (YUGOSLAVIAN BANK GETS 90 MLN DLR WORLD BANK LOAN)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 3)
     (The World Bank said it approved a 90 mln dlr loan to Yugoslavia *apostrophe* s third largest bank to support a project promoting energy conservation and substituting lower *dash* cost energy sources for present sources *period* It said the loan consists of a credit line to Ljubljanska Banka *comma* Ljubljana *lparen* LBL *rparen* *comma* to finance a project expected to improve industrial competitiveness and reduce energy imports *comma* easing the country *apostrophe* s current balance *dash* of *dash* payments difficulties *period* The Bank said the project will benefit small and medium *dash* sized industries *comma* primarily in Yugoslavia *apostrophe* s Republic of Slovenia *period* It said 600 *comma* 000 dlrs of the loan will cover the foreign exchange costs of consultancy services *comma* equipment and training abroad for technical and financial personnel *period* Reuter))

(0210 (organic) 
     (IBC CLOSES EXPORT REGISTRATIONS *dash* IBC OFFICIAL)
     (RIO DE JANEIRO *comma* April 5)
     (The Brazilian Coffee Institute *lparen* IBC *rparen* confirmed having closed May export registrations *comma* effective April 6 *period* On Friday night exporters said they had heard of the closure from IBC officials *comma* but the officials could not at the time be reached for confirmation *period* REUTER))

(0211 (financial) 
     (ARGENTINE MINISTER SEEKS DEBT RESCHEDULING)
     (BUENOS AIRES *comma* April 5)
     (Economy Minister Juan Sourrouille was heading for Washington for talks with creditor banks on rescheduling part of Argentina *apostrophe* s foreign debt *period* Economy Ministry sources said he hoped to seal an agreement rescheduling 30 bln dlrs of private foreign debt *period* Argentina *comma* seeking 2 *period* 15 bln dlrs in fresh loans from private international banks to meet 1987 growth targets *comma* has been negotiating with the banks *apostrophe* steering committee since February *period* Sourroille will also attend International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings *period* REUTER))

(0212 (financial) 
     (CHINA *quote* S FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES FALL DURING 1986)
     (PEKING *comma* April 5)
     (China *apostrophe* s foreign exchange reserves totalled 10 *period* 514 billion dlrs at end *dash* 1986 *comma* up from 10 *period* 37 billion at end *dash* September but down from 11 *period* 9 billion at end *dash* 1985 *comma* according to central bank figures published by the New China News Agency *period* The agency said 2 *period* 072 billion dlrs of the reserves was held by the state treasury *comma* down from 2 *period* 26 billion at end *dash* September *comma* while 8 *period* 442 billion was held by the Bank of China *comma* up from 8 *period* 11 billion *period* China *apostrophe* s outstanding foreign debts rose to 7 *period* 572 billion at end *dash* 1986 from 5 *period* 067 billion at end *dash* 1985 *period* Gold reserves stood at 12 *period* 67 mln ounces *comma* unchanged over the year *period* REUTER))

(0213 (organic) 
     (PHILIPPINE COFFEE EXPORTS SEEN FALLING SHARPLY)
     (MANILA *comma* April 6)
     (Philippine coffee exports are expected to fall sharply due to a combination of the International Coffee Organisation *apostrophe* s *lparen* ICO *rparen* decision not to revive export quotas and higher local prices *comma* ICO Certifying Agency official Dante de Guzman told Reuters *period* He said exporter registrations dropped from an average weekly 500 tonnes in March to 45 tonnes last week *comma* with exports in coffee year 1986 *slash* 87 *comma* ending September *comma* forecast to total about 8 *comma* 000 tonnes against 48 *comma* 000 in 1985 *slash* 86 *period* *quote* Because of the relatively higher level of domestic prices *comma* it has become difficult to service exports *comma* *quote* de Guzman said *comma* adding that most exporters are taking a wait and see attitude *period* Coffee production was expected to drop slightly to about one mln bags of 60 kg each in the 1986 *slash* 87 crop year ending June from 1 *period* 1 mln bags last year *comma* he said *period* REUTER))

(0214 (financial) 
     (MIYAZAWA SEES BIG NATIONS REAFFIRMING PARIS PACT)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 6)
     (Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa told a parliamentary committee he expects major nations to reafffirm the currency pact they struck in Paris when they meet this week in Washington *comma* political sources said *period* The Minister also was quoted as saying he expects major nations to take coordinated action to ensure exchange rate stability *period* Finance Ministry officials were unavailable for immediate comment *period* In Paris on February 22 *comma* six nations *dash* Britain *comma* Canada *comma* France *comma* Japan *comma* the U *period* S *period* And West Germany *dash* pledged to cooperate to hold their currencies stable *period* REUTER))

(0215 (financial) 
     (SOUTH KOREA *quote* S 1987 GNP SEEN GROWING NINE PCT)
     (SEOUL *comma* April 6)
     (South Korea *apostrophe* s gross national product *lparen* gnp *rparen* is forecast to grow by nine pct in 1987 *comma* surpassing the government *apostrophe* s original forecast of eight pct and against a 12 *period* 5 pct rise in 1986 *comma* an Economic Planning Board report said *period* The report reviewing the country *apostrophe* s economy in the first three months of this year said year *dash* on *dash* year gnp was provisionally estimated to have grown by about 12 pct in the period *comma* against a 10 *period* 5 pct growth in the same 1986 period *period* Board officials said the gnp rise in the January *dash* March period is due largely to increased exports *comma* which totalled 9 *period* 34 billion dlrs against 6 *period* 9 billion a year earlier *period* REUTER))

(0216 (organic) 
     (IBC CLOSES EXPORT REGISTRATIONS *dash* IBC OFFICIAL)
     (RIO DE JANEIRO *comma* April 5)
     (The Brazilian Coffee Institute *lparen* IBC *rparen* confirmed having closed May export registrations *comma* effective April 6 *period* On Friday night exporters said they had heard of the closure from IBC officials *comma* but the officials could not at the time be reached for confirmation *period* REUTER))

(0217 (financial) 
     (CHINA *quote* S FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES FALL DURING 1986)
     (PEKING *comma* April 5)
     (China *apostrophe* s foreign exchange reserves totalled 10 *period* 514 billion dlrs at end *dash* 1986 *comma* up from 10 *period* 37 billion at end *dash* September but down from 11 *period* 9 billion at end *dash* 1985 *comma* according to central bank figures published by the New China News Agency *period* The agency said 2 *period* 072 billion dlrs of the reserves was held by the state treasury *comma* down from 2 *period* 26 billion at end *dash* September *comma* while 8 *period* 442 billion was held by the Bank of China *comma* up from 8 *period* 11 billion *period* China *apostrophe* s outstanding foreign debts rose to 7 *period* 572 billion at end *dash* 1986 from 5 *period* 067 billion at end *dash* 1985 *period* Gold reserves stood at 12 *period* 67 mln ounces *comma* unchanged over the year *period* REUTER))

(0218 (organic) 
     (PHILIPPINE COFFEE EXPORTS SEEN FALLING SHARPLY)
     (MANILA *comma* April 6)
     (Philippine coffee exports are expected to fall sharply due to a combination of the International Coffee Organisation *apostrophe* s *lparen* ICO *rparen* decision not to revive export quotas and higher local prices *comma* ICO Certifying Agency official Dante de Guzman told Reuters *period* He said exporter registrations dropped from an average weekly 500 tonnes in March to 45 tonnes last week *comma* with exports in coffee year 1986 *slash* 87 *comma* ending September *comma* forecast to total about 8 *comma* 000 tonnes against 48 *comma* 000 in 1985 *slash* 86 *period* *quote* Because of the relatively higher level of domestic prices *comma* it has become difficult to service exports *comma* *quote* de Guzman said *comma* adding that most exporters are taking a wait and see attitude *period* Coffee production was expected to drop slightly to about one mln bags of 60 kg each in the 1986 *slash* 87 crop year ending June from 1 *period* 1 mln bags last year *comma* he said *period* REUTER))

(0219 (financial) 
     (MIYAZAWA SEES BIG NATIONS REAFFIRMING PARIS PACT)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 6)
     (Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa told a parliamentary committee he expects major nations to reafffirm the currency pact they struck in Paris when they meet this week in Washington *comma* political sources said *period* The Minister also was quoted as saying he expects major nations to take coordinated action to ensure exchange rate stability *period* Finance Ministry officials were unavailable for immediate comment *period* In Paris on February 22 *comma* six nations *dash* Britain *comma* Canada *comma* France *comma* Japan *comma* the U *period* S *period* And West Germany *dash* pledged to cooperate to hold their currencies stable *period* REUTER))

(0220 (financial) 
     (SOUTH KOREA *quote* S 1987 GNP SEEN GROWING NINE PCT)
     (SEOUL *comma* April 6)
     (South Korea *apostrophe* s gross national product *lparen* gnp *rparen* is forecast to grow by nine pct in 1987 *comma* surpassing the government *apostrophe* s original forecast of eight pct and against a 12 *period* 5 pct rise in 1986 *comma* an Economic Planning Board report said *period* The report reviewing the country *apostrophe* s economy in the first three months of this year said year *dash* on *dash* year gnp was provisionally estimated to have grown by about 12 pct in the period *comma* against a 10 *period* 5 pct growth in the same 1986 period *period* Board officials said the gnp rise in the January *dash* March period is due largely to increased exports *comma* which totalled 9 *period* 34 billion dlrs against 6 *period* 9 billion a year earlier *period* REUTER))

(0221 (organic) 
     (THAI RICE EXPORTS FALL IN WEEK TO MARCH 31)
     (BANGKOK *comma* April 7)
     (Thailand exported 75 *comma* 160 tonnes of rice in the week ended March 31 *comma* down from 88 *comma* 785 tonnes the previous week *comma* the Commerce Ministry said *period* It said the government and private exporters shipped 36 *comma* 552 and 38 *comma* 608 tonnes respectively *period* Private exporters concluded advance weekly sales for 22 *comma* 086 tonnes against 44 *comma* 483 tonnes the previous week *period* Thailand exported 1 *period* 23 mln tonnes of rice in January *slash* March *comma* down from 1 *period* 29 mln tonnes a year ago *period* It has commitments to export another 381 *comma* 171 tonnes this year *period* REUTER))

(0222 (financial) 
     (JAPAN CENTRAL BANK INTERVENES IN TOKYO AFTERNOON)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 7)
     (The Bank of Japan intervened in early afternoon Tokyo trading to support the dollar against active selling by institutional investors and speculative selling by overseas operators *comma* dealers said *period* The central bank had also bought dollars against the yen in morning trade *period* The dollar traded around 145 *period* 20 *slash* 30 yen when trading began in the afternoon here and weakened only slightly *comma* the dealers said *period* REUTER))

(0223 (organic) 
     (JAPAN *quote* S LIPC TO BUY BEEF ON APRIL 23)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 7)
     (Japan *apostrophe* s Livestock Industry Promotion Corp *lparen* LIPC *rparen* said that on April 28 it will import 7 *comma* 515 tonnes of beef for the first half of the 1987 fiscal year started on April 1 under the simultaneous buy and sell tender system *comma* against 6 *comma* 813 a year ago *period* The system calls on the agency to buy beef from trading houses and simultaneously sell it to users in one tender *period* The tender quota in April *dash* September is 10 pct of the agency *apostrophe* s beef import share *period* Japan *apostrophe* s beef import quota in 1987 *slash* 88 was set at 93 *comma* 000 tonnes against 85 *comma* 000 for the same period in 1986 *slash* 87 *period* REUTER))

(0224 (financial) 
     (BUNDESBANK SETS NEW REPURCHASE TENDER)
     (FRANKFURT *comma* April 7)
     (The Bundesbank set a new tender for a 28 *dash* day securities repurchase agreement *comma* offering banks liquidity aid at a fixed bid rate of 3 *period* 80 pct *comma* a central bank spokesman said *period* Banks must make their bids by 1400 GMT today *period* Funds will be allocated by 0900 GMT tomorrow and credited to accounts later in the day *period* Banks must repurchase securities pledged on May 6 *period* REUTER))

(0225 (financial) 
     (ADB APPROVES 75 MLN DLR LOANS FOR TWO PROJECTS)
     (MANILA *comma* April 7)
     (The Asian Development Bank *lparen* ADB *rparen* said it had approved two loans amounting to 75 *period* 7 mln dollars for agricultural projects in Bangladesh and Nepal *period* It said both loans are repayable over 40 years *comma* including a 10 *dash* year grace *comma* and carry a service charge of one pct a year *period* The bank said it approved 51 *period* 7 mln for an agricultural inputs program for Bangladesh aimed at sustaining foodgrain production *period* It said the loan will cover the entire foreign exchange component of the project *apostrophe* s total cost of 65 mln *period* The ADB said it approved 24 mln dlrs to support an agricultural credit project in Nepal *period* The loan will benefit Nepal by increasing foodgrain output *comma* augmenting production of milk and other dairy products and expanding energy generation in rural areas *comma* it said *period* REUTER))

(0226 (financial) 
     (GERMAN CAPITAL ACCOUNT IN DEFICIT IN FEBRUARY)
     (FRANKFURT *comma* April 7)
     (West Germany recorded a net outflow of 7 *period* 53 billion marks on the February capital account *comma* combining long and short term capital flows *comma* compared with a net inflow of 11 *period* 91 billion marks in January *comma* the Bundesbank said *period* This compared with a net outflow of 3 *period* 51 billion marks in February 1986 *comma* the Bundesbank said *period* REUTER))

(0227 (financial) 
     (TAIWAN TRADE SURPLUS WIDENS IN FIRST QUARTER)
     (TAIPEI *comma* April 7)
     (Taiwan *apostrophe* s trade surplus widened to 4 *period* 18 billion U *period* S *period* Dlrs in the first quarter of 1987 from 3 *period* 05 billion a year ago *comma* the government statistics department said *period* First quarter exports rose to 11 *period* 25 billion U *period* S *period* Dlrs from 8 *period* 38 billion in the same period in 1986 *period* Imports rose to 7 *period* 08 billion from 5 *period* 33 billion last year *period* The March trade surplus was 1 *period* 45 billion dlrs compared with 1 *period* 32 billion in February and 1 *period* 02 billion in March 1986 *period* Exports rose to 4 *period* 07 billion U *period* S *period* Dlrs from 3 *period* 85 billion in February and 2 *period* 99 billion in March last year *period* Imports were 2 *period* 61 billion dlrs against 2 *period* 53 billion in February and 1 *period* 96 billion in March 1986 *period* REUTER))

(0228 (metal) 
     (AGREEMENT REACHED IN GREEK ALUMINA DEAL WITH MOSCOW)
     (ATHENS *comma* April 7)
     (Greece and the Soviet Union have reached agreement in Moscow on a joint venture for a 450 mln dlr alumina plant in Greece *comma* government spokesman Yannis Roubatis said *period* Roubatis told reporters the Soviet Union agreed to buy the plant *apostrophe* s entire annual output of 600 *comma* 000 tonnes of alumina *period* More details would be given later by Greek Industry Undersecretary George Petsos *comma* who was in Moscow *period* The project was due to start in 1986 *comma* but problems over plans to sell some alumina to Bulgaria caused delays *period* The Soviet Union *comma* which was to take 400 *comma* 000 tonnes *comma* later agreed to take the full production *period* REUTER))

(0229 (financial) 
     (BANK OF JAPAN INTERVENES SHORTLY AFTER TOKYO OPENS)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 7)
     (The Bank of Japan bought a small amount of dollars at around 145 *period* 95 yen shortly after the Tokyo market opened *comma* dealers said *period* But the dollar then fell on speculative selling by trading houses *comma* they said *period* The dollar had opened here at 145 *period* 95 yen against 145 *period* 85 *slash* 90 yen in New York and 146 *period* 00 yen at the close here yesterday *period* REUTER))

(0230 (financial) 
     (BANK OF JAPAN TO SELL 800 BILLION YEN IN BILLS)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 7)
     (The Bank of Japan will sell tomorrow a total of 800 billion yen worth of financing bills from its holdings to help absorb a projected money market surplus of 1 *comma* 300 billion yen *comma* money traders said *period* Of the total *comma* 400 billion yen will yield 3 *period* 8502 pct on sales from money houses to banks and securities houses in a 41 *dash* day repurchase accord maturing on May 19 *period* Another 400 billion yen will yield 3 *period* 7991 pct in a 20 *dash* day repurchase pact maturing on April 28 *comma* they said *period* The repurchase agreement yields compare with the 3 *period* 8125 pct one *dash* month *comma* and 3 *period* 7500 pct three *dash* week commercial bill discount rates today *period* Tomorrow *apostrophe* s surplus is attributable to government tax allocations to local governments and public entities *period* The operation will put outstanding bill supply at about 4 *comma* 300 billion yen *comma* they said *period* REUTER))

(0231 (financial) 
     (JAPAN CENTRAL BANK INTERVENES IN TOKYO AFTERNOON)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 7)
     (The Bank of Japan intervened in early afternoon Tokyo trading to support the dollar against active selling by institutional investors and speculative selling by overseas operators *comma* dealers said *period* The central bank had also bought dollars against the yen in morning trade *period* The dollar traded around 145 *period* 20 *slash* 30 yen when trading began in the afternoon here and weakened only slightly *comma* the dealers said *period* REUTER))

(0232 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET GIVEN 224 MLN STG ASSISTANCE)
     (LONDON *comma* April 7)
     (The Bank of England said it had provided the money market with 224 mln stg help in the morning session *period* This compares with the Bank *apostrophe* s forecast of a shortage in the system today of around 850 mln stg which it earlier revised up from 800 mln *period* The central bank bought bank bills comprising 27 mln stg in band one at 9 *dash* 7 *slash* 8 pct *comma* 21 mln stg in band two at 9 *dash* 13 *slash* 16 pct and 171 mln stg in band three at 9 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct *period* It also purchased three mln stg of treasury bills and two mln stg of local authority bills in band three at 9 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct *period* REUTER))

(0233 (petro) 
     (OCCIDENTAL IN BIG PERU HEAVY OIL FIND)
     (LOS ANGELES *comma* April 7)
     (Occidental Petroleum Corp said the Shiviyacu *dash* 23 development well on Block 1 *dash* AB in the Peruvian Amazon jungle is producing 6 *comma* 593 barrels of 22 degree gravity oil per day from depths of 9 *comma* 543 to 9 *comma* 547 and 9 *comma* 556 to 9 *comma* 599 feet *period* The company said it is drilling a new exploration well on the block *comma* Southeast Shiviyacu *dash* 1 *comma* 2 *period* 5 miles away *period* Reuter))

(0234 (metal) 
     (MAGMA RAISES COPPER PRICE 0 *period* 50 CT TO 66 *period* 00 CTS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 7)
     (Magma Copper Co *comma* a subsidiary of Newmont Mining Corp *comma* said it is raising its copper cathode price by 0 *period* 50 cent to 66 *period* 00 cents a lb *comma* effective immediately *period* Reuter))

(0235 (petro) 
     (KANEB ENERGY SAYS JURY RULES FOR IT)
     (HOUSTON *comma* April 7)
     (Kaneb Energy Partners Ltd *comma* 82 pct owned by Kaneb Services Inc *comma* said a juiry in Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County *comma* Ala *period* *comma* has ruled in its favor and that of Jim Walter Corp against Sonat Inc in a dispute over a natural gas sales contract *period* The company said the suit was filed seekiong to enforce Sonat *apostrophe* s obligations under the contract to pay for methane gas produced by the Brookwood Coal Degasificiation Project in the Black Warrior Basin of Alabama *comma* which is equally owned by Kaneb and Jim Walter *period* Kaneb said the jury awarded it and Jim Walter about 22 mln dlrs for required payments for deliveries through January 1987 plus interest through March 16 *dash* *dash* the full amount sought *dash* *dash* and rejected Sonat *apostrophe* s counterclaim of fraud *period* It said the decision may be appealed *period* Reuter))

(0236 (organic) 
     (U *period* K *period*  INTERVENTION WHEAT SOLD TO HOME MARKET)
     (LONDON *comma* April 7)
     (A total of 14 *comma* 685 tonnes of British intervention feed wheat were sold at today *apostrophe* s tender for the home market *comma* the Home Grown Cereals Authority said *period* Bids amounted to 19 *comma* 115 tonnes against offerings of 31 *comma* 528 *period* Prices paid were at *comma* or above *comma* the prevailing intervention feed wheat price of 120 *period* 71 stg per tonne *period* Grain traders said a large part of the tonnage on offer was in stores *comma* which would mean high transport costs to deficient areas *period* The European Commission recently made available 70 *comma* 000 tonnes for next week *apostrophe* s tender *period* Reuter))

(0237 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET GIVEN FURTHER 284 MLN STG HELP)
     (LONDON *comma* April 7)
     (The Bank of England said it provided the money market with a further 284 mln stg assistance in the afternoon session *period* This takes the bank *apostrophe* s total help so far today to 508 mln stg and compares with its revised estimate of a 900 mln stg shortage in the system which it earlier revised up from 850 mln *period* The central bank made outright purchases of bank bills comprising 100 mln stg in band one at 9 *dash* 7 *slash* 8 pct *comma* 56 mln stg in band two at 9 *dash* 13 *slash* 16 pct *comma* 112 mln stg in band three at 9 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct and 16 mln stg in band four at 9 *dash* 11 *slash* 16 pct *period* REUTER))

(0238 (organic) 
     (SESOSTRIS SELLS 18 *comma* 000 TONNES BARLEY TO GREECE)
     (MADRID *comma* April 7)
     (Sesostris *comma* the Spanish subsidiary of the international grain trader Dreyfus *comma* sold 18 *comma* 000 tonnes of barley to Greece for delivery from Mediterranean ports from April 14 to 30 *comma* a company spokesman said *period* He gave no details on price *period* The barley has a 14 pct humidity *period* Reuter))

(0239 (metal) 
     (SYNGOLD DEFINES RESERVES ON DEKA PROPERTY)
     (Toronto *comma* April 7)
     (and said they defined undiluted reserves of 911 *comma* 000 tons of ore with an average grade of 0 *period* 43 ounces of gold per ton in two separate deposits on the Deka property located at Noranda *comma* Quebec *period* Assay results from 20 suface holes drilled on 250 foot centers indicate that the Donalda number one deposit contains possible reserves of 611 *comma* 000 tons at an average grade of 0 *period* 48 ounces of gold per ton *period* The number one deposit *apostrophe* s reserves are contained between a vertical depth of 750 and 1200 feet at a strike length of 900 feet *period* Reserves of the Donalda number *dash* two deposit *comma* located 1 *comma* 000 feet below the number *dash* one deposit *comma* were recalculated at 300 *comma* 000 tons with an average grade of 0 *period* 33 ounces of gold per ton *period* Syngold has earned a 20 pct interest in the Deka property from the operator *comma* Corp Falconbridge Copper *period* Reuter))

(0240 (organic) 
     (SPAIN TO SELL BARLEY TO SAUDI ARABIA)
     (MADRID *comma* April 7)
     (Spain will shortly sign with Saudi Arabia an order for barley for April *slash* May delivery *comma* trade sources said *period* They gave no details on amounts or prices *comma* but said it would be a *quote* major *quote* order *period* Saudi Arabia bought 500 *comma* 000 tonnes of Spanish barley last year *period* Reuter))

(0241 (organic) 
     (BRAZILIAN COFFEE RAINFALL)
     (SAO PAULO *comma* APRIL 7)
     (THE FOLLOWING RAINFALL WAS RECORDED IN THE AREAS OVER THE PAST 24 HOURS PARANA STATE *colon*  UMUARAMA NIL *comma* PARANAVAI NIL *comma* LONDRINA NIL *comma* MARINGA NIL *period* SAO PAULO STATE PRESIDENTE PRUDENTE NIL *comma* VOTUPORANGA NIL *comma* FRANCA NIL *comma* CATANDUVA NIL *comma* SAO CARLOS NIL *comma* SAO SIMAO NIL *period* MINAS GERAIS STATE *colon*  GUAXUPE 33 *period* 0 MILLIMETRES *comma* TRES PONTAS 5 *period* 0 MM *period* REUTER))

(0242 (organic) 
     (GRAIN RESERVE HOLDINGS -- USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 7)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department gave a preliminary breakdown of grain in the Farmer *dash* Owned Grain Reserve as of April 1 *comma* with comparisons *comma* based on telephone reports from farmers filed with the department *apostrophe* s Kansas City field office *comma* in mln bushels *dash* *dash* April 1 Previous Wheat 657 *period* 6 659 *period* 7 Corn 1 *comma* 406 *period* 5 1 *comma* 397 *period* 0 Sorghum 95 *period* 8 95 *period* 5 Barley 122 *period* 1 122 *period* 0 Oats 3 *period* 7 3 *period* 7 Reuter))

(0243 (organic) 
     (GRAIN RESERVE HOLDINGS BREAKDOWN)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 7)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department gave the following breakdown of grain remaining in the farmer *dash* owned grain reserve as of April 1 *comma* in mln bushels *comma* by reserve number *dash* *dash* I II III IV V VI Wheat nil nil 0 *period* 1 0 *period* 3 10 *period* 5 479 *period* 7 Corn *dash* *dash* *dash* *dash* *dash* *dash* 4 *period* 1 1 *comma* 231 *period* 9 *dash* *dash* Sorghum *dash* x *dash* *dash* *dash* *dash* *dash* *dash* 0 *period* 1 38 *period* 8 *dash* *dash* Barley *dash* *dash* *dash* *dash* *dash* *dash* 0 *period* 1 73 *period* 9 *dash* *dash* x *dash* mln cwts *period* Note *dash* USDA says above totals may not match total in reserve numbers *period* Reuter))

(0244 (metal) 
     (BALL TO SUPPLY PENNY BLANKS TO MINTS)
     (MUNCIE *comma* IND *period* *comma* April 7)
     (Ball Corp said it was awarded a one *dash* year 12 *comma* 750 *comma* 000 dlr contract to supply copper *dash* plated zinc penny blanks to the U *period* S *period* mints in Philadelphia and Denver *period* The new contract *comma* effective in June *comma* calls for shipping 23 *comma* 200 *comma* 000 pounds of blanks to the mint in Philadelphia and 7 *comma* 600 *comma* 000 pounds to Denver *period* It said the blanks will be manufactured in Greenville *comma* Tenn *period* Ball began supplying blanks to the San Francisco and West Point mints in 1981 when the penny *apostrophe* s content was changed to zinc from copper *period* Reuter))

(0245 (organic) 
     (CHINA SOYBEAN OUTPUT DOWN SLIGHTLY *dash* USDA REPORT)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 7)
     (China *apostrophe* s soybean crop this year is forecast at 11 *period* 5 mln tonnes *comma* down slightly from 11 *period* 55 mln estiamted for last year *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department *apostrophe* s officer in Peking said in a field report *period* The report *comma* dated April 2 *comma* said Chinese imports this year are projected at 300 *comma* 000 tonnes unchanged from last year *apostrophe* s level *period* Exports are forecast to increase to 1 *period* 0 mln tonnes from 800 *comma* 000 tonnes exported last year *comma* the report said *period* Imports of soybean oil are estimated at 200 *comma* 000 tonnes *comma* also unchanged from last year *period* Reuter))

(0246 (financial) 
     (TURKISH CENTRAL BANK SETS LIRA *slash* DOLLAR *comma*  DM RATES)
     (ANKARA *comma* April 7)
     (The Turkish Central Bank set a Lira *slash* Dollar rate for April 8 of 784 *period* 50 *slash* 788 *period* 42 to the Dollar *comma* down from the previous 784 *period* 35 *slash* 788 *period* 27 *period* The Bank also set a Lira *slash* Mark rate of 430 *period* 60 *slash* 432 *period* 75 to the Mark *comma* down from the previous 429 *period* 35 *slash* 431 *period* 50 *period*))

(0247 (financial) 
     (VOLCKER URGES GREATER EXCHANGE RATE STABILITY)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 7)
     (Federal Reserve Board Chairman Paul Volcker said international policymakers should make improving the stability of exchange rates a major priority *period* In testimony before a Senate Banking subcommittee *comma* Volcker said he does not have any specific proposals for improving exchange rate stability *comma* but thought it was worthy goal *period* *quote* I do think we ought to be thinking about and working toward greater exchange rate stability *comma* *quote* Volcker said *period* *quote* I think that the objective of greater exchange rate stability ought to loom larger among our various policy priorities *period* *quote* Reuter))

(0248 (financial) 
     (VOLCKER SEES DOLLAR AS FACTOR IN MONETARY POLICY)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 7)
     (Federal Reserve Board Chairman Paul Volcker said the performance of the dollar in exchange markets could be a factor in the U *period* S *period* central bank *apostrophe* s decisions on monetary policy *period* *quote* The performance of the dollar in the exchange market might become a factor bearing on our provision of reserves *comma* *quote* Volcker said in testimony to the Senate Banking Committee *period* He said that fiscal policy changes in the United States *comma* Germany and Japan would be more important that intervention to instill confidence in current exchange rate levels *period* Reuter))

(0249 (financial) 
     (FED EXPECTED TO SET CUSTOMER REPURCHASES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 7)
     (The Federal Reserve is expected to intervene in the government securities market to supply temporary reserves indirectly via customer repurchase agreements *comma* economists said *period* They said the Fed is expected to execute anywhere from 1 *period* 5 *dash* 2 *period* 0 billion dlrs of customer repos to offset seasonal pressures on bank reserves *period* Federal funds *comma* which averaged 6 *period* 20 pct yesterday *comma* opened at 6 *dash* 1 *slash* 8 pct and remained there in early trading *period* Reuter))

(0250 (financial) 
     (VOLCKER PUSHES SPENDING CUTS OVER TRADE BILL)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 7)
     (Federal Reserve Board Chairman Paul Volcker said reducing the federal budget deficit was a more important goal for Congress than drafting trade legislation *period* *quote* Reduce the budget deficit *comma* *quote* Volcker responded when asked by a member of the Senate Banking Committee about trade legislation priorities *period* *quote* If you don *apostrophe* t deal with the budget deficit *comma* everything else you do is going to be counterproductive *comma* *quote* he said *period* Reuter))

(0251 (financial) 
     (FED SETS TWO-DAY SYSTEM REPURCHASES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 7)
     (The Federal Reserve entered the government securities market to arrange two *dash* day repurchase agreements for system account *comma* a spokeswoman for the New York Fed said *period* Fed funds were trading at 6 *dash* 1 *slash* 8 pct at the time of the direct injection of temporary reserves *comma* dealers said *period* Most economists had expected a less aggressive injection of reserves via customer repurchase agreements *period* Reuter))

(0252 (metal) 
     (U *period* S *period*  MINT SEEKING OFFERS ON COPPER *comma*  NICKEL)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 7)
     (The U *period* S *period* Mint said it is seeking offers on 3 *comma* 701 *comma* 000 lbs of electrolytic copper and 629 *comma* 000 lbs of electrolytic cut nickel cathodes or briquettes that it intends to purchase *period* It said both metals are for delivery in the week of May 11 to Olin Corp *comma* East Alton *comma* Ill *period* Offers for the copper are due by 1100 hrs EDT *comma* April 21 *comma* while offers on the nickel are due at 1100 hrs EDT on April 14 *period* The Mint said that firms *comma* in submitting their offers *comma* select to receive payment by standard check or be wire transfer *period* Awards are determined by whichever of the two methods is most cost advantageous *comma* based on the cost of money at that time *period* The minimum acceptance periods for each solicitation is three calendar days for the copper and 10 calendar days for the nickel *comma* the Mint said *period* Reuter))

(0253 (organic) 
     (USSR CROP WEATHER SUMMARY -- USDA *slash* NOAA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 7)
     (Gradual warming continued in most regions of Western Soviet Union in the week ended April 4 *comma* the Joint Agricultural Weather Facility of the U *period* S Agriculture and Commerce Departments said *period* In its International Weather and Crop Summary *comma* the agency said most of the region *apostrophe* s precipitation fell as rain *period* The southern snow cover boundary continued to slowly retreat northward and eastward *comma* it said *period* Moderate to deep snow cover the northern half of the Ukraine *comma* northern North Caucasus *comma* and the lower Volga *comma* about one month later than usual *comma* it said *period* The agency said average weekly temperatures were below normal in the southeast *comma* near normal in the southwest and northeast *comma* and above normal in the northwest *period* Winter grains remained dormant over the region *comma* but warm weather promoted greening in crop areas adjacent to the Black Sea coast *comma* it said *period* Reuter))

(0254 (organic) 
     (GRAIN SHIPS WAITING AT NEW ORLEANS)
     (New Orleans *comma* April 7)
     (Nine grain ships were loading and 16 were waiting to load at New Orleans elevators *comma* trade sources said *period* ELEVATOR LOADING WAITING Continental Grain *comma* Westwego 1 5 Mississippi River *comma* Myrtle Grove 1 0 ADM Growmark 1 2 Bunge Grain *comma* Destrehan 1 0 ELEVATOR LOADING WAITING ST CHARLES DESTREHAN 1 1 RESERVE ELEVATOR CORP 1 0 PEAVEY CO *comma* ST ELMO 1 1 CARGILL GRAIN *comma* TERRE HAUTE 1 4 CARGILL GRAIN *comma* PORT ALLEN 0 0 ZEN *dash* NOH 1 3 reuter))

(0255 (financial) 
     (U *period* S *period*  SAYS NO PACT ON RELIEF FOR POOREST STATES)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 7)
     (Industrial countries do not agree on ways to provide debt relief for the world *apostrophe* s poorest nations *comma* a senior U *period* S *period* Treasury official said *period* A senior U *period* S *period* Treasury official said *comma* *quote* There has not been a consensus reached yet *comma* *quote* when asked about reports the Paris club of western creditors had agreed to long *dash* term stretch outs of African debt at concessional interest rates *period* The official *comma* briefing reporters on this week *apostrophe* s semiannual IMF meetings *comma* said the issue would be discussed this week and the U *period* S *period* had an open mind on the proposal but it did object to concessional interest rate relief *period* Reuter))

(0256 (organic) 
     (IOWA GRAIN ELEVATOR EXPLODES *comma*  BURNS)
     (BANCROFT *comma* Iowa *comma* April 7)
     (An explosion and fire today damaged a grain elevator in Bancroft *comma* Iowa *comma* destroying thousands of bushels of grain *comma* authorities said *period* The pre *dash* dawn explosion ripped the wooden elevator open *comma* and a fire that followed continued burning at late morning but had been contained *comma* according to a dispatcher at the Algona Police Department *period* No injuries were reported at the Lone Rock Coop facility *period* The dispatcher said the elevator was filled with corn *comma* and a nearby drying building holding soybeans was on fire *period* The explosion was the second in four days in Iowa following the destruction of an Archer Daniels Midland elevator in Burlington last Friday *period* Reuter))

(0257 (petro) 
     (COOPERATIVE ENERGY TESTS OIL AT TWO WELLS)
     (CALGARY *comma* Alberta *comma* April 7)
     (said two exploratory oil wells in the Zama area of Alberta tested 1 *comma* 020 and 950 barrels a day *comma* and will increase the company *apostrophe* s daily oil production by 30 pct *period* The company did not immediately elaborate on total production figures *period* The wells *comma* flowing oil from the Keg River formation *comma* will be constrained to combined production of about 450 barrels a day to optimize reserve recovery *comma* the company said *period* Permanent production facilities are being installed and the wells will produce to pipeline by mid *dash* April *period* Reuter))

(0258 (organic) 
     (U *period* S *period*  CERTIFIED COFFEE STOCKS DOWN IN LATEST WEEK)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 7)
     (The amount of coffee stored in New York and New Orleans warehouses and certified for delivery against the New York Coffee *quote* C *quote* futures totalled 585 *comma* 555 bags as of April 3 *comma* compared with 585 *comma* 794 bags the previous week *comma* a net decrease of 239 bags *comma* the New York Coffee *comma* Sugar and Cocoa Exchange said *period* The total comprised 392 *comma* 845 bags in New York *comma* an increase of 261 bags *comma* and 192 *comma* 710 bags in New Orleans *comma* a drop of 500 bags *period* The exchange said there were nil bags pending classification *period* There were 56 *comma* 578 bags pending certification *comma* including 32 *comma* 553 in New York and 24 *comma* 025 in New Orleans *comma* the exchange said *period* reuter))

(0259 (metal) 
     (MAGMA LOWERS COPPER PRICE 0 *period* 50 CT TO 65 *period* 50 CTS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 7)
     (Magma Copper Co *comma* a subsidiary of Newmont Mining Corp *comma* said it is lowering its copper cathode price by 0 *period* 50 cent to 65 *period* 50 cents a lb *comma* effective immediately *period* Reuter))

(0260 (organic) 
     (IRAQ CCC CREDIT GUARANTEES SWITCHED *dash* USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 7)
     (The Commodity Credit Corporation *lparen* CCC *rparen* has transferred 21 *period* 0 mln dlrs in credit guarantees previously earmarked for sales of U *period* S *period* corn and 5 *period* 0 mln dlrs for sales of oilseeds to increase available coverage on sales of U *period* S *period* poultry meat to Iraq *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* The department said the action was taken at the request of Iraq *apostrophe* s State Trade Organization for Grains and Foodstuffs *period* The guarantee line for sales of corn has been reduced from 78 *period* 0 mln dlrs to 57 *period* 0 mln and the line for oilseeds from 5 *period* 0 mln dlrs to zero *period* The guarantee line for sales of frozen poultry has been increased from 30 *period* 0 mln dlrs to 56 *period* 0 mln dlrs *comma* USDA said *period* Reuter))

(0261 (organic) 
     (HONDURAS SEEKING PL-480 VESSELS FOR BULK WHEAT)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 7)
     (Honduras will tender April 13 under Public Law 480 for U *period* S *period* and non *dash* U *period* S *period* flag vessels to deliver approximately 52 *comma* 500 tonnes of various wheats in bulk *comma* an agent for the country said *period* The agent said deliveries of northern spring *slash* dns wheat will include laydays of July 1 *dash* 10 for 7 *comma* 500 *dash* 9 *comma* 500 tonnes *comma* August 1 *dash* 10 for 8 *comma* 000 *dash* 10 *comma* 000 tonnes *comma* and September 15 *dash* 25 for 12 *comma* 500 *dash* 14 *comma* 500 tonnes *period* Deliveries of hard red winter wheat will have laydays of June 20 *dash* 30 for 5 *comma* 000 *dash* 7 *comma* 000 tonnes *comma* July 15 *dash* 25 for 6 *comma* 500 *dash* 8 *comma* 500 tonnes *comma* and September 15 *dash* 25 for 7 *comma* 000 *dash* 9 *comma* 000 tonnes *period* Offers are due by 1200 hrs EDT *comma* April 13 *comma* and will remain valid until the close of business April 14 *comma* the agent said *period* Reuter))

(0262 (metal) 
     (MAGMA LOWERS COPPER PRICE 0 *period* 50 CT TO 65 *period* 50 CTS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 7)
     (Magma Copper Co *comma* a subsidiary of Newmont Mining Corp *comma* said it is lowering its copper cathode price by 0 *period* 50 cent to 65 *period* 50 cents a lb *comma* effective immediately *period* Reuter))

(0263 (organic) 
     (CCC CREDITS FOR BANGLADESH AMENDED *dash* USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 7)
     (The Commodity Credit Corporation *lparen* CCC *rparen* has reallocated 5 *period* 0 mln dlrs in credit guarantees previously earmarked for sales of U *period* S *period* wheat to provide coverage for sales of U *period* S *period* vegetable oil to Bangladesh *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* USDA said the action was taken at the request of the Bangladesh government and reduces the guarantee line authorized for wheat sales from 25 *period* 0 mln dlrs to 20 *period* 0 and creates a new line of 5 *period* 0 mln dlrs for vegetable oils *period* To be eligible for coverage under the CCC *apostrophe* s Intermediate Export Credit Program *comma* credit terms must be in excess of three years *comma* but not more than seven years *period* All sales covered by the credit guarantees must be registered and shipped by September 30 *comma* 1987 *comma* USDA said *period* Reuter))

(0264 (organic) 
     (CCC SEED CREDIT GURANTEES FOR ALGERIA *dash* USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 7)
     (The Commodity Credit Corporation *lparen* CCC *rparen* has authorized 2 *period* 0 mln dlrs in credit guarantees to cover sales of seeds for planting to Algeria *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* The department said the additional guarantees increase the cumulative fiscal year 1987 program for sales of U *period* S *period* agricultural products to Algeria to 466 *period* 0 mln dlrs *period* To be eligible under the new seed credit guarantees *comma* all sales must be registered by September 30 *comma* 1987 *comma* and shipped by December 31 *comma* 1987 *comma* USDA said *period* Reuter))

(0265 (organic) 
     (USDA ANNOUNCES WORLD MARKET RICE PRICES)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 7)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department announced the following prevailing world market prices of rice on a loan *dash* rate basis *comma* with previous prices *dash* *dash* *dash* *dash* Long grain whole kernels 5 *period* 87 cts per lb vs 5 *period* 70 *dash* *dash* Medium grain whole kernels 5 *period* 28 cts per lb vs 5 *period* 12 *dash* *dash* Short grain whole kernels 5 *period* 22 cts per lb vs 5 *period* 06 *dash* *dash* Broken kernels 2 *period* 94 cts per lb vs 2 *period* 85 The repayment rate for 1986 *dash* crop warehouse or farm *dash* stored rice loans are the higher of the world price or 50 pct of the loan rate of 7 *period* 20 dlrs per cwt *period* The prices will remain in effect for a week *comma* but new prices could be announced earlier if warranted *comma* USDA said *period* Reuter))

(0266 (financial) 
     (TREASURY BALANCES AT FED ROSE ON APRIL 6)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 7)
     (Treasury balances at the Federal Reserve rose on April 6 to 4 *period* 262 billion dlrs from 3 *period* 876 billion dlrs on the previous business day *comma* the Treasury said in its latest budget statement *period* Balances in tax and loan note accounts fell to 4 *period* 950 billion dlrs from 5 *period* 004 billion dlrs on the same respective days *period* The Treasury *apostrophe* s operating cash balance totaled 9 *period* 212 billion dlrs on April 6 compared with 8 *period* 880 billion dlrs on April 3 *period* Reuter))

(0267 (organic) 
     (JAPANESE CRUSHERS BUY CANADIAN RAPESEED)
     (WINNIPEG *comma* April 7)
     (Japanese crushers bought 5 *comma* 000 tonnes of Canadian rapeseed in export business overnight for late May *slash* early June shipment *comma* trade sources said *period* Reuter))

(0268 (organic) 
     (SOUTHERN TEXAS GRAIN DIFFERENTIALS ADJUSTED)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 7)
     (Posted county prices in 99 southern Texas counties have been changed to reflect only one market differential instead of the usual two *dash* terminal market pricing system *comma* a senior Agriculture Department official said *period* Interior grain and soybean prices in the affected counties will now be based solely against the Texas Gulf *period* Prior to the change *comma* county prices were also priced against the Amarillo market *period* The changes were made to better reflect local market conditions *comma* said Ralph Klopfenstein *comma* deputy administrator for commodity operations at USDA *period* *quote* The Texas Gulf has always been the dominant market in those counties *period* Amarillo never became effective for that area *comma* *quote* Klopfenstein told Reuters *period* Reuter))

(0269 (organic) 
     (EGYPT SAID TO CANCEL PL480 SOFT WHEAT TENDER)
     (KANSAS CITY *comma* April 7)
     (Egypt has cancelled its Export Bonus tender for 200 *comma* 000 tonnes of soft red winter wheat for May *dash* June shipment after failing to bid a price acceptable to USDA *comma* private export sources said *period* Reuter))

(0270 (metal) 
     (DOE RECOMMENDS SPECIAL UNIT TO ENRICH URANIUM)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 7)
     (Energy Secretary John Herrington told Congress that a federally chartered corporation would be the best way to manage and operate the government *apostrophe* s uranium enrichment program *period* He said in a letter to Congressmen that unless the program *comma* now run by the Energy Department *comma* is improved *comma* sales worth five billion dlrs could be lost between 1990 and 2000 *period* The program now has annual commercial sales of about one billion dlrs and holds 50 pct of the free world market for enrichment services *period* A department official said the world market for enriched uranium for reactors for power utilities is increasingly competitive and private entity could better tap it *period* The Administration *apostrophe* s plan to spin off the department *apostrophe* s uranium enrichment operation is in line with it effort to reduce the federal government *apostrophe* s role in areas where it feels private enterprise could be more efficient *period* reuter))

(0271 (organic) 
     (JORDAN BOOSTS BIDS IN EXPORT BONUS WHEAT TENDER)
     (KANSAS CITY *comma* April 7)
     (Jordan has boosted its bids for U *period* S *period* soft and hard wheat under Export Bonus *comma* private export sources said *period* Jordan today bid 74 dlrs per tonne for soft wheat and 75 dlrs per tonne for hard red winter wheat in its tender for 225 *comma* 000 tonnes of hard and soft wheat for April through November shipment *period* Earlier today *comma* USDA rejected its bids of 70 dlrs for both varieties *comma* they said *period* Reuter))

(0272 (organic) 
     (MOROCCO TENDERS THURSDAY FOR PL 480 WHEAT)
     (KANSAS CITY *comma* April 7)
     (Morocco will tender Thursday for 120 *comma* 000 to 210 *comma* 000 tonnes of U *period* S *period* wheat *comma* cheapest variety preferred *comma* for May and June shipments under PL 480 *comma* private export sources said *period* The tender will consist of three lots of up to 70 *comma* 000 tonnes each for shipment May 1 *dash* 30 *comma* May 10 *dash* June 10 *comma* and May 25 *dash* June 25 *comma* they said *period* Reuter))

(0273 (financial) 
     (BANK OF JAPAN INTERVENES SOON AFTER TOKYO OPENING)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 8)
     (The Bank of Japan bought a small amount of dollars shortly after the opening at around 145 *period* 30 yen *comma* dealers said *period* The central bank intervened as a medium *dash* sized trading house sold dollars *comma* putting pressure on the U *period* S *period* Currency *comma* they said *period* The dollar was also supported by a major electrical consumer goods company *comma* which was a speculative dollar buyer at around 145 *period* 25 yen *comma* they added *period* The dollar opened at 145 *period* 33 yen against 145 *period* 60 *slash* 70 in New York and 145 *period* 25 at the close here yesterday *period* REUTER))

(0274 (organic) 
     (JAPAN RUBBER STOCKS FALL IN MARCH)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 8)
     (Japan *apostrophe* s rubber stocks fell to 44 *comma* 980 tonnes in March from 46 *comma* 198 in February and from 53 *comma* 784 in March 1986 *comma* the Japan Rubber Trade Association said *period* The stocks *lparen* in tonnes *rparen* *comma* with February and year *dash* earlier comparisons *comma* were *dash* March 87 Feb 87 March 86 Crude Rubber 41 *comma* 536 42 *comma* 094 49 *comma* 551 Synthetic 3 *comma* 334 3 *comma* 978 4 *comma* 044 Latex 110 126 189 REUTER))

(0275 (financial) 
     (SOUTH KOREAN WON FIXED AT 25-MONTH HIGH)
     (SEOUL *comma* April 8)
     (THE BANK OF KOREA SAID IT FIXED THE MIDRATE OF THE WON AT 844 *period* 30 TO THE DOLLAR *comma* ITS HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE FEBRUARY 26 *comma* 1985 *comma* WHEN IT WAS 843 *period* 90 *period* THE WON WAS SET at 845 *period* 50 YESTERDAY *period* THE WON HAS RISEN 2 *period* 03 PCT AGAINST THE DOLLAR SO FAR THIS YEAR *comma* AFTER RISING 3 *period* 34 PCT IN 1986 *period* REUTER))

(0276 (metal) 
     (NIPPON MINING LOWERS COPPER PRICE)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 8)
     (Nippon Mining Co Ltd said it lowered its selling price for electrolytic copper by 10 *comma* 000 yen per tonne to 260 *comma* 000 *comma* effective immediately *period* REUTER))

(0277 (organic) 
     (CHINA DAILY SAYS VERMIN EAT 7-12 PCT GRAIN STOCKS)
     (PEKING *comma* April 8)
     (A survey of 19 provinces and seven cities showed vermin consume between seven and 12 pct of China *apostrophe* s grain stocks *comma* the China Daily said *period* It also said that each year 1 *period* 575 mln tonnes *comma* or 25 pct *comma* of China *apostrophe* s fruit output are left to rot *comma* and 2 *period* 1 mln tonnes *comma* or up to 30 pct *comma* of its vegetables *period* The paper blamed the waste on inadequate storage and bad preservation methods *period* It said the government had launched a national programme to reduce waste *comma* calling for improved technology in storage and preservation *comma* and greater production of additives *period* The paper gave no further details *period* REUTER))

(0278 (organic) 
     (SRI LANKA GETS USDA APPROVAL FOR WHEAT PRICE)
     (COLOMBO *comma* April 8)
     (Food Department officials said the U *period* S *period* Department of Agriculture approved the Continental Grain Co sale of 52 *comma* 500 tonnes of soft wheat at 89 U *period* S *period* Dlrs a tonne C and F from Pacific Northwest to Colombo *period* They said the shipment was for April 8 to 20 delivery *period* REUTER))

(0279 (metal) 
     (WESTERN MINING TO OPEN NEW GOLD MINE IN AUSTRALIA)
     (MELBOURNE *comma* April 8)
     (Western Mining Corp Holdings Ltd *lparen* WMC *rparen* said it will establish a new joint venture gold mine in the Northern Territory at a cost of about 21 mln dlrs *period* The mine *comma* to be known as the Goodall project *comma* will be owned 60 pct by WMC and 40 pct by a local W *period* R *period* Grace and Co unit *period* It is located 30 kms east of the Adelaide River at Mt *period* Bundey *comma* WMC said in a statement It said the open *dash* pit mine *comma* with a conventional leach treatment plant *comma* is expected to produce about 50 *comma* 000 ounces of gold in its first year of production from mid *dash* 1988 *period* Annual ore capacity will be about 750 *comma* 000 tonnes *period* REUTER))

(0280 (metal) 
     (SUBROTO SAYS INDONESIA SUPPORTS TIN PACT EXTENSION)
     (JAKARTA *comma* April 8)
     (Mines and Energy Minister Subroto confirmed Indonesian support for an extension of the sixth International Tin Agreement *lparen* ITA *rparen* *comma* but said a new pact was not necessary *period* Asked by Reuters to clarify his statement on Monday in which he said the pact should be allowed to lapse *comma* Subroto said Indonesia was ready to back extension of the ITA *period* *quote* We can support extension of the sixth agreement *comma* *quote* he said *period* *quote* But a seventh accord we believe to be unnecessary *period* *quote* The sixth ITA will expire at the end of June unless a two *dash* thirds majority of members vote for an extension *period* REUTER))

(0281 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET DEFICIT FORECAST AT 250 MLN STG)
     (LONDON *comma* April 8)
     (The Bank of England said it forecast a shortage of around 250 mln stg in the money market today *period* Among the main factors affecting liquidity *comma* bills maturing in official hands and the take *dash* up of treasury bills will drain some 505 mln stg *comma* while bills for repurchase by the market will remove around 194 mln *period* In addition *comma* a rise in note circulation and bankers *apostrophe* balances below target will each drain around 110 mln stg *period* Partly offsetting these outflows *comma* exchequer transactions will add some 690 mln stg to the system today *period* REUTER))

(0282 (metal) 
     (EC MAINLY FOR TIN EXTENSION *comma*  NO U *period* K *period*  STAND TAKEN)
     (BRUSSELS *comma* April 8)
     (European Community *lparen* EC *rparen* members of the International Tin Council *comma* except Britain *comma* have said they are prepared to back an extension of the International Tin Agreement *comma* an EC spokesman said *period* He said at a meeting of EC states *apostrophe* representatives here yesterday *comma* Britain undertook to communicate its own decision to its partners today *period* It said it was not ready yesterday to take a stand but did not say why *period* He added nine other EC states backed an extension *period* Spain and Portugal *comma* which are not members of the International Tin Council *comma* raised no objections to a common EC stance in favour *period* REUTER))

(0283 (metal) 
     (THAI ZINC EXPORTS FALL IN MARCH)
     (BANGKOK *comma* April 8)
     (Thai zinc ingot exports fell to 882 tonnes in March from 1 *comma* 764 in February and 3 *comma* 008 in March 1986 *comma* the Mineral Resources Department said *period* A spokesman for Padaeng Industry Co Ltd *comma* the country *apostrophe* s sole exporter *comma* attributed the decline to the company *apostrophe* s lower stocks *comma* which averaged 5 *comma* 000 tonnes in the first quarter against 16 *comma* 000 tonnes in late 1985 when it began exporting *period* The department said major buyers included China *comma* Japan *comma* the Philippines *comma* South Korea *comma* Singapore and Taiwan *period* Thailand exported 4 *comma* 842 tonnes of zinc ingots during the first quarter *comma* down from 14 *comma* 937 a year ago *period* REUTER))

(0284 (organic) 
     (EC SUGAR TENDER HARD TO PREDICT *dash* LONDON TRADE)
     (LONDON *comma* April 8)
     (The outcome of today *apostrophe* s European Community *lparen* EC *rparen* white sugar tender is extremely difficult to predict after last week *apostrophe* s substantial award of 102 *comma* 350 tonnes at the highest ever rebate of 46 *period* 864 European currency units *lparen* Ecus *rparen* per 100 kilos *comma* traders said *period* Some said they believed the tonnage would probably be smaller *comma* at around 60 *comma* 000 tonnes *comma* but declined to give a view on the likely restitution *period* Last week *comma* the European Commission accepted 785 *comma* 000 tonnes of sugar into intervention by operators protesting about low rebates *period* This might be a determining factor in today *apostrophe* s result *comma* they added *period* REUTER))

(0285 (organic) 
     (NORTH YEMEN CALLS SUGAR BUYING TENDER *dash* TRADE)
     (LONDON *comma* April 8)
     (North Yemen has called a buying tender for Saturday for the purchase of 30 *comma* 000 tonnes of white sugar for arrival in June *comma* traders said *period* REUTER))

(0286 (financial) 
     (BANK OF JAPAN INTERVENES SOON AFTER TOKYO OPENING)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 8)
     (The Bank of Japan bought a small amount of dollars shortly after the opening at around 145 *period* 30 yen *comma* dealers said *period* The central bank intervened as a medium *dash* sized trading house sold dollars *comma* putting pressure on the U *period* S *period* Currency *comma* they said *period* The dollar was also supported by a major electrical consumer goods company *comma* which was a speculative dollar buyer at around 145 *period* 25 yen *comma* they added *period* The dollar opened at 145 *period* 33 yen against 145 *period* 60 *slash* 70 in New York and 145 *period* 25 at the close here yesterday *period* REUTER))

(0287 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET GIVEN 53 MLN STG ASSISTANCE)
     (LONDON *comma* April 8)
     (The Bank of England said it provided the money market with 53 mln stg assistance in the morning session *period* This compares with the bank *apostrophe* s estimate of a shortage in the system of around 300 mln stg which it earlier revised up from 250 mln *period* The central bank made outright purchases of bank bills comprising 46 mln stg in band three at 9 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct and seven mln stg in band four at 9 *dash* 11 *slash* 16 pct *period* REUTER))

(0288 (organic) 
     (FRENCH TRADERS FORECAST EC SUGAR TENDER)
     (PARIS *comma* April 8)
     (The European Community *lparen* EC *rparen* is expected to award export licences at today *apostrophe* s weekly tender for above 60 *comma* 000 and possibly up to 100 *comma* 000 tonnes of white sugar after last week *apostrophe* s award for 102 *comma* 350 tonnes *comma* traders here said *period* They expected a maximum rebate of between 46 *period* 40 and 46 *period* 50 Ecus per 100 kilos *comma* compared to last week *apostrophe* s 46 *period* 864 *period* Earlier *comma* traders in London said the outcome of the tender was very hard to predict after last week *apostrophe* s substantial award and the placing of 785 *comma* 000 tonnes of sugar into intervention *period* They said they believed the tonnage would be around 60 *comma* 000 but declined to give a rebate figure *period* REUTER))

(0289 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET GIVEN FURTHER 166 MLN STG HELP)
     (LONDON *comma* April 8)
     (The Bank of England said it provided the market with further help totalling 166 mln stg during the afternoon *period* In band one *comma* it bought 31 mln stg of treasury bills and three mln stg of bank bills at 9 *dash* 7 *slash* 8 pct *comma* while in band two it bought 69 mln stg of bank bills at 9 *dash* 13 *slash* 16 pct *period* In addition *comma* it bought 63 mln stg of band three bank bills at 9 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct *period* This brings the total assistance by the Bank so far today to 219 mln stg against a liquidity shortage it has estimated at around 300 mln stg *period* REUTER))

(0290 (organic) 
     (EC COMMISSION DETAILS SUGAR TENDER)
     (BRUSSELS *comma* April 8)
     (The EC Commission confirmed it granted export licences for 118 *comma* 350 tonnes of current series white sugar at a maximum export rebate of 46 *period* 496 European Currency Units *lparen* ECUs *rparen* per 100 kilos *period* Out of this *comma* traders in France received 34 *comma* 500 tonnes *comma* in the U *period* K *period* 37 *comma* 800 *comma* in West *dash* Germany 20 *comma* 000 *comma* in Belgium 18 *comma* 500 *comma* in Spain 5 *comma* 800 and in Denmark 1 *comma* 750 tonnes *period* REUTER))

(0291 (organic) 
     (JAPAN BUYS 4 *comma* 000 TONNES CANADIAN RAPESEED)
     (WINNIPEG *comma* April 8)
     (Japan bought 4 *comma* 000 tonnes of Canadian rapeseed overnight at an undisclosed price for last half May *slash* first half June shipment *comma* trade sources said *period* Reuter))

(0292 (organic) 
     (TUNISIA EXPECTED TO TENDER FOR FRENCH WHEAT)
     (PARIS *comma* April 8)
     (Tunisia is expected to tender April 14 for 100 *comma* 000 tonnes of French soft wheat for delivery between May and August and which would be covered by the French export credit agency *comma* COFACE *comma* export credits *comma* traders said here *period* No official tender has been announced yet by Tunisia *comma* they said *period* France has sold a total of 200 *comma* 000 tonnes of soft wheat to Tunisia since the begining of the current campaign which was covered by COFACE export credits *period* Of this amount *comma* a total of 150 *comma* 000 tonnes was exported by March 1 *comma* they said *period* Reuter))

(0293 (financial) 
     (WHITE HOUSE STANDING FIRM ON JAPANESE SANCTIONS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 8)
     (Presidential spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said U *period* S *period* trade sanctions against Japan were likely take effect on April 17 in spite of a *quote* full court press *quote* by Japanese officials to avoid them *period* *quote* All indications are they will take effect *comma* *quote* he said *period* *quote* I would say Japan is applying the full court press *period* *period* *period* They certainly are putting both feet forward in terms of explaining their position *comma* *quote* Fitzwater told reporters *period* He noted high level meetings on the trade dispute are underway here but said *comma* *quote* I don *apostrophe* t think there *apostrophe* s anything I can report and I don *apostrophe* t believe there *apostrophe* s been any official movement *period* *quote* REUTER))

(0294 (organic) 
     (COLOMBIA BUSINESS ASKED TO DIVERSIFY FROM COFFEE)
     (BOGOTA *comma* April 8)
     (A Colombia government trade official has urged the business community to aggressively diversify its activities and stop relying so heavily on coffee *period* Samuel Alberto Yohai *comma* director of the Foreign Trade Institute *comma* INCOMEX *comma* said private businessmen should not become what he called *quote* mental hostages *quote* to coffee *comma* traditionally Colombia *apostrophe* s major export *period* The National Planning Department forecast that in 1987 coffee will account for only one *dash* third of total exports *comma* or about 1 *period* 5 billion dlrs *comma* with oil and energy products making up another third and non *dash* traditional exports the remainder *period* Reuter))

(0295 (financial) 
     (WHITE HOUSE SAYS JAPANESE TARRIFFS LIKELY)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 8)
     (The White House said high U *period* S *period* Tariffs on Japanese electronic goods would likely be imposed as scheduled on April 17 *comma* despite an all *dash* out effort by Japan to avoid them *period* Presidential spokesman Marlin Fitzwater made the remark one day before U *period* S *period* And Japanese officials are to meet under the emergency provisions of a July 1986 semiconductor pact to discuss trade and the punitive tariffs *period* Fitzwater said *colon*  *quote* I would say Japan is applying the full *dash* court press *period* *period* *period* They certainly are putting both feet forward in terms of explaining their position *period* *quote* But he added that *quote* all indications are they *lparen* the tariffs *rparen* will take effect *period* *quote* Reuter))

(0296 (financial) 
     (GROUP OF FIVE MEETING ENDS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 8)
     (A meeting of finance ministers and central bankers of the Group of Five ended after nearly three and a half hours *period* West German Finance Minister Gerhard Stoltenberg and British Chancellor of the Exchequer Nigel Lawson declined to comment on the meeting as they emerged from the U *period* S *period* Treasury *period* A European monetary official said the ministers of the Group of Seven countries would gather at about three p *period* m *period* local *lparen* 1900 GMT *rparen* at the Treasury *period* Reuter))

(0297 (organic) 
     (USDA TO PROPOSE FOREIGN MEAT INSPECTION RULE)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 8)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department is preparing a proposal that would require all foreign meat products to be inspected at their point of arrival in the United States *comma* a USDA official said *period* Donald Houston *comma* administrator of USDA *apostrophe* s Food Safety and Inspection Service *comma* FSIS *comma* told a House Agriculture subcommittee USDA was developing a proposed change in regulations that would put an end to the current practice of permitting foreign meat products to be unloaded at one port and inspected at another port *period* Houston said the requirement would be phased in over several years to *quote* avoid disruptions and economic hardship *period* *quote* Reuter))

(0298 (petro) 
     (GHANA TO BUY CRUDE OIL FROM IRAN)
     (LONDON *comma* April 8)
     (Ghana will import 15 *comma* 000 tonnes of crude oil annually from Iran under an agreement reached in Tehran today *comma* the Iranian news agency IRNA reported *period* The agency *comma* received in London *comma* said the accord was reached between Iranian Oil Minister Gholamreza Aqazadeh and a visiting Ghanaian delegation headed by Foreign Minister Obed Asamoah *period* IRNA said that under the agreement *comma* Iran will also provide technical and scientific assistance in manpower training and oil exploitation *comma* production and refining *period* Reuter))

(0299 (organic) 
     (CCC ACCEPTS EXPORT BID FOR WHEAT FLOUR TO IRAQ)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 8)
     (The Commodity Credit Corporation has accepted a bid for an export bonus to cover a sale of 12 *comma* 500 tonnes of wheat flour to Iraq *comma* the U *period* S *period* AGriculture Department said *period* The bonus awarded was 113 *period* 0 dlrs per tonne and will be paid to Peavey Company in the form of commodities from CCC stocks *period* The wheat flour is for delivery May 15 *dash* June 15 *comma* 1987 *comma* the department said *period* An additional 162 *comma* 500 tonnes of wheat flour are still available to Iraq under the Export Enhancement Program initiative announced January 7 *comma* 1987 *comma* USDA said *period* Reuter))

(0300 (organic) 
     (EGYPT AUTHORIZED TO BUY PL-480 WHEAT *dash* USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 8)
     (Egypt has been authorized to purchase about 200 *comma* 000 tonnes of U *period* S *period* wheat under an existing PL *dash* 480 agreement *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* It may buy the wheat *comma* valued at 22 *period* 0 mln dlrs *comma* between April 15 and August 31 *comma* 1987 *comma* and ship it from U *period* S *period* ports by September 30 *comma* the department said *period* Reuter))

(0301 (organic) 
     (MEXICAN CATTLE IMPORTS TO BE BRANDED *dash* USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 8)
     (All steers imported into the United States from Mexico must now be branded with the letter M on the right jaw *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* In its World Production and Trade Report *comma* the department said the branding is necessary to improve surveillance for bovine tuberculosis because it provides a permanent way to identify Mexican steers *period* The requirement is not expected to affect the number of Mexican steers imported into the United States and the brand will be applied before the animals arrive at U *period* S *period* ports of entry *period* Last November *comma* the Mexican Government authorized an export quota of nearly 1 *period* 1 mln head of live cattle for the 1986 *slash* 87 season *lparen* Aug *dash* July *rparen* *comma* most of which goes to the United States *period* Reuter))

(0302 (organic) 
     (USDA SEEKS COMMENTS ON GRAIN DISCOUNT SCHEDULE)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 8)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department is seeking public comments on the question of adjusting the Commodity Credit Corporation *apostrophe* s *lparen* CCC *rparen* discount and premium schedules to improve the quality of grain it accepts as loan collateral or under price support programs *period* The premiums and discounts schedule are based on quality factors such as moisture content and kernel damage *period* The schedule stipulates the premiums and discounts used for valuing grain the CCC accepts or purchases during the year *period* The department said it is possible that producers could be encouraged to delivery higher quality grain to CCC by adjusting the premiums and discounts *period* Comments are due by April 24 and a report to Congress is required by law by May 10 *period* Reuter))

(0303 (financial) 
     (SOUTHEAST BANCORP ACTS ON BRAZILIAN DEBT)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 8)
     (Following the lead of other major banks *comma* Southeast Banking Corp told the Securities and Exchange Commission it would place 54 *period* 2 mln dlrs of medium *dash* and long *dash* term Brazilian debt on non *dash* accrual or cash status *period* Based on current interest rates *comma* it estimated in a filing that the move will reduce net income by about 800 *comma* 000 dlrs in the first quarter and 3 *period* 2 mln dlrs for all of 1987 *period* The company also said it did not believe the Brazilian debt situation would have a *quote* material adverse *quote* effect on it *period* It also said it would issue 1 *comma* 080 *comma* 000 common shares in connection with its acquisition of Popular Bancshares Corp *period* Reuter))

(0304 (financial) 
     (G-24 SAYS DEBT CRISIS ENTERING NEW PHASE)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 8)
     (Ministers from the Group of 24 developing coutries said that the debt crisis was entering a new and dangerous phase and called for the formation of a ministerial committee to examine solutions to the problem *period* In a statement following a meeting of the ministers *comma* they said that the *quote* existing *lparen* debt *rparen* strategy offers no prospect for a lasting solution to the debt problem *period* *quote* The statement said that there should be a new attitude and approach in respect of the existing stock of debt and called for current flows and future credits to be examined by governments *comma* multilateral and banking institutions *period* The statement also said that the prospects of the least developed countries continue to deteriorate and *quote* will improve only if commensurate financing on concessional terms is made available *period* *quote* Reuter))

(0305 (organic) 
     (COFFEE COULD DROP TO 70 *slash* 80 CTS *comma*  CARDENAS SAYS)
     (BOGOTA *comma* April 8)
     (International coffee prices could drop to between 70 and 80 cents a lb by next October if no agreement is reached to support the market *comma* Jorge Cardenas *comma* manager of Colombia *apostrophe* s National Coffee Growers *apostrophe* Federation said *period* Speaking at a forum for industrialists *comma* he said one of the reasons was that the market was already saturated and that producers will have excess production and stockpiles of 39 mln *lparen* 60 *dash* kg *rparen* bags in 1987 *period* Today *comma* May futures in New York settled at 107 *period* 90 cents a lb *period* Reuter))

(0306 (organic) 
     (USDA DISCUSSING PL 480 AGREEMENT WITH MOROCCO)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 8)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department is currently discussing an amendment to a PL 480 agreement signed with Morocco on January 22 *comma* but the mix of commodities under the amendment has not been determined *comma* a U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department official said *period* The official noted the agreement signed in January provided for the supply of about 55 *comma* 000 tonnes of vegetable oil *comma* 55 *comma* 000 tonnes of corn and 126 *comma* 000 tonnes of wheat *comma* all for delivery during the current fiscal year *comma* ending this September 30 *period* No purchase authorizations for the commodities provided in the January agreement have been announced by the department *period* Reuter))

(0307 (petro) 
     (EIA SAYS DISTILLATE STOCKS UNCHANGED IN WEEK)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 8)
     (Distillate fuel stocks held in primary storage were unchanged in the week ended April three at 106 *period* 9 mln barrels *comma* the Energy Information Administration *lparen* EIA *rparen* said *period* In its weekly petroleum status report *comma* the Department of Energy agency said gasoline stocks were off 200 *comma* 000 barrels in the week to 248 *period* 1 mln barrels and refinery crude oil stocks rose 6 *period* 3 mln barrels to 335 *period* 8 mln *period* The EIA said residual fuel stocks fell 100 *comma* 000 barrels to 38 *period* 1 mln barrels and crude oil stocks in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve *lparen* SPR *rparen* rose 1 *period* 1 mln barrels to 520 *period* 0 mln *period* The total of all crude *comma* refined product and SPR stocks rose 9 *period* 4 mln barrels to 1 *comma* 561 *period* 1 *comma* it said *period* Reuter))

(0308 (metal) 
     (SHOWA DENKO EXPORTS ALUMINIUM CASTING EQUIPMENT)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 9)
     (said it is exporting aluminium billet casting equipment and technology to countries that have recently begun aluminium smelting *period* A company official said it won a 500 mln yen order to deliver 10 sets of casting equipment to Venezuela *apostrophe* s Venalum by end *dash* 1987 *period* He said it received an order for one set from Aluminium Bahrain B *period* S *period* C *period* Last year and expects further orders from the Bahrain smelter *period* Showa Denko withdrew from smelting last year but expects to increase its sales of equipment and technology *comma* he said *period* REUTER))

(0309 (financial) 
     (WHITE HOUSE SAYS JAPANESE TARRIFFS LIKELY)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 8)
     (The White House said high U *period* S *period* Tariffs on Japanese electronic goods would likely be imposed as scheduled on April 17 *comma* despite an all *dash* out effort by Japan to avoid them *period* Presidential spokesman Marlin Fitzwater made the remark one day before U *period* S *period* And Japanese officials are to meet under the emergency provisions of a July 1986 semiconductor pact to discuss trade and the punitive tariffs *period* Fitzwater said *colon*  *quote* I would say Japan is applying the full *dash* court press *period* *period* *period* They certainly are putting both feet forward in terms of explaining their position *period* *quote* But he added that *quote* all indications are they *lparen* the tariffs *rparen* will take effect *period* *quote* Reuter))

(0310 (organic) 
     (MEXICAN CATTLE IMPORTS TO BE BRANDED *dash* USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 8)
     (All steers imported into the United States from Mexico must now be branded with the letter M on the right jaw *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* In its World Production and Trade Report *comma* the department said the branding is necessary to improve surveillance for bovine tuberculosis because it provides a permanent way to identify Mexican steers *period* The requirement is not expected to affect the number of Mexican steers imported into the United States and the brand will be applied before the animals arrive at U *period* S *period* ports of entry *period* Last November *comma* the Mexican Government authorized an export quota of nearly 1 *period* 1 mln head of live cattle for the 1986 *slash* 87 season *lparen* Aug *dash* July *rparen* *comma* most of which goes to the United States *period* Reuter))

(0311 (organic) 
     (USDA SEEKS COMMENTS ON GRAIN DISCOUNT SCHEDULE)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 8)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department is seeking public comments on the question of adjusting the Commodity Credit Corporation *apostrophe* s *lparen* CCC *rparen* discount and premium schedules to improve the quality of grain it accepts as loan collateral or under price support programs *period* The premiums and discounts schedule are based on quality factors such as moisture content and kernel damage *period* The schedule stipulates the premiums and discounts used for valuing grain the CCC accepts or purchases during the year *period* The department said it is possible that producers could be encouraged to delivery higher quality grain to CCC by adjusting the premiums and discounts *period* Comments are due by April 24 and a report to Congress is required by law by May 10 *period* Reuter))

(0312 (financial) 
     (BANK OF FRANCE TO HOLD MONEY MARKET TENDER TODAY)
     (PARIS *comma* April 9)
     (The Bank of France said it has invited offers of first category paper today for a money market intervention tender *period* Money market operators were divided over whether the Bank of France will use to occasion to cut its intervention rate *comma* which has stood at 7 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct since March 9 *period* Some thought a price cut unlikely while others said there was room for a further 1 *slash* 4 point cut by the bank *period* REUTER))

(0313 (financial) 
     (SOVIET TRADE DEFICIT WITH WEST SOARS IN 1986)
     (MOSCOW *comma* April 9)
     (The Soviet trade deficit with the West almost quadrupled last year *comma* reaching 2 *period* 72 billion roubles compared with 713 mln in 1985 *comma* official figures showed *period* Statistics published by the monthly journal Foreign Trade showed Soviet trade turnover for 1986 fell to 130 *period* 9 billion roubles from 142 *period* 1 billion the previous year *comma* a drop of 7 *period* 8 pct *period* Moscow *apostrophe* s trade surplus with East Bloc countries continued to grow in 1986 *period* Western analysts attributed the deficit rise with the West to the world oil price slump *comma* which hit Moscow *apostrophe* s main export and cut hard currency earnings needed for purchases in the West *period* REUTER))

(0314 (organic) 
     (CHINA *quote* S WHEAT CROP THREATENED BY PESTS *comma*  DISEASE)
     (PEKING *comma* April 9)
     (Pests and disease *comma* which destroyed 1 *period* 1 mln tonnes of wheat in China in 1986 *comma* are threatening crops on 11 *period* 64 mln hectares this year *comma* the China Daily said *period* About 14 *period* 54 mln hectares of wheat were affected in 1986 *period* The paper said abnormal weather conditions had encouraged the spread of wheat midges in 2 *period* 47 mln hectares in Shanxi *comma* Henan *comma* Sichuan *comma* Anhui *comma* Hebei and Jiangsu *period* In Henan *comma* Shandong and Hebei wheat aphids are affecting 4 *period* 67 mln hectares *comma* wheat red mite 2 *period* 8 mln hectares and wheat powdery mildew 1 *period* 7 mln hectares *period* REUTER))

(0315 (organic) 
     (SHANGHAI TYREb FACTORY TO RAISE 30 MLN U *period* S *period*  DLRS)
     (HONG KONG *comma* April 9)
     (Ta Chung Hua Rubber Factory of Shanghai will raise a 30 to 35 mln U *period* S *period* Dlr loan to expand and modernise its plant *comma* arranger CCIC Finance Ltd said *period* The loan *comma* to be lead managed by the Bank of China *comma* is expected to mature in eight to nine years *comma* but terms have not been finalized *period* The money will be used to import manufacturing equipment including technology transfer for the production of truck radial tyres *period* Part of the output will be exported *period* The expansion program is expected to cost a total 54 mln dlrs *period* The shortfall will be financed domestically *period* REUTER))

(0316 (metal) 
     (BELGIUM TO ISSUE GOLD WARRANTS *comma*  SOURCES SAY)
     (ZURICH *comma* April 9)
     (Belgium plans to issue Swiss franc warrants to buy gold *comma* with Credit Suisse as lead manager *comma* market sources said *period* No confirmation or further details were immediately available *period* REUTER))

(0317 (organic) 
     (CARGILL CONFIRMS WHITE SUGAR SALE TO INDIA)
     (LONDON *comma* April 9)
     (London *dash* based trader Cargill *lparen* U *period* K *period* *rparen* Ltd confirmed it sold one cargo of white sugar to India for shipment April 15 *slash* May 15 at yesterday *apostrophe* s tender *period* Price details were not immediately available but some traders suggested business had been done around 220 dlrs a tonne cif *period* India tendered for one or two cargoes of white sugar *period* There was no specific requirement on shipping period *period* REUTER))

(0318 (petro) 
     (MALAYSIA SEEKS 42 BILLION YEN PIPELINE LOAN)
     (KUALA LUMPUR *comma* March 9)
     (Malaysia has asked Japan for a 42 billion yen 25 *dash* year loan to finance the construction of gas pipelines from eastern Trengganu to southern Johor *comma* the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund *lparen* OECF *rparen* said *period* OECF *apostrophe* s chief representative *comma* Takashi Matsuya *comma* told reporters the Japanese Government is appraising the loan *period* Another OECF official told Reuters Japan is likely to approve the loan because *quote* it is technically and economically viable *period* *quote* If approved *comma* the loan would carry a coupon rate of four pct *comma* a grace period of seven years *comma* Matsuya said *period* It would be disbursed over three years *comma* he added *period* The pipeline contruction is the second phase of the Peninsular Gas Utilisation Project by Petronas *comma* Malaysia *apostrophe* s national oil company *period* The first phase was the supply of gas to households in and around the eastern oil town of Kertih *period* REUTER))

(0319 (metal) 
     (JOHNSON MATTHEY *quote* S PLATINUM GROUP PRICES)
     (LONDON *comma* APRIL 9)
     (Johnson Matthey today issued the following Platinum group base prices *lparen* unfabricated *rparen* *comma* all U *period* S *period* Dlrs per troy ounce *period* Previous prices in parentheses *period* PLATINUM *dash* 562 *lparen* 567 *rparen* PALLADIUM *dash* 130 *lparen* 130 *rparen* IRIDIUM *dash* 400 *lparen* 400 *rparen* RHODIUM 1 *comma* 230 *lparen* 1 *comma* 230 *rparen* RUTHENIUM *dash* 80 *lparen* 80 *rparen*))

(0320 (financial) 
     (CANADA FEBRUARY TRADE SURPLUS 1 *period* 2 BILLION DLRS)
     (OTTAWA *comma* April 9)
     (Canada had a trade surplus of 1 *period* 25 billion dlrs in February compared with an upward revised 623 mln dlrs surplus in January *comma* Statistics Canada said *period* The January surplus originally was reported at 533 mln dlrs *period* The February surplus last year was 189 mln dlrs *period* February exports *comma* seasonally adjusted *comma* were 10 *period* 44 billion dlrs against 9 *period* 85 billion in January and 10 *period* 05 billion in February *comma* 1986 *period* February imports were 9 *period* 19 billion dlrs against 9 *period* 23 billion in January and 9 *period* 86 billion in February *comma* 1986 *period* Reuter))

(0321 (financial) 
     (BANK OF JAPAN BUYS DOLLARS IN TOKYO *comma*  DEALERS SAY)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 9)
     (The Bank of Japan bought a modest amount of dollars at around 145 *period* 10 yen just after the market here opened *comma* dealers said *period* Just before the opening *comma* the dollar dropped swiftly as speculators concluded the Group of Seven *lparen* G *dash* 7 *rparen* comminuique issued in Washington contained nothing basically new *comma* they said *period* It fell about a half yen *comma* to around 145 *period* The G *dash* 7 reaffirmed that their currencies around current levels reflect economic fundamentals *period* One dealer said the Bank of Japan probably intervened in Australia before the opening here *comma* but could not confirm this *period* REUTER))

(0322 (financial) 
     (MIYAZAWA SAYS YEN STILL INSIDE PARIS RANGE)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 8)
     (Japanese Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa said the strengthening of the yen against the dollar that has occurred since the Paris Agreement was within the range agreed on in the Louvre discussions *period* *quote* I would say that what has happened *lparen* to the yen *rparen* in the past several weeks was not outside the range we agreed to in the discussions in Paris *comma* *quote* Miyazawa told a press conference following the Group of Seven meeting here *period* He added that the current discussions were a *quote* reaffirmation *quote* of that agreement *comma* indicating that the *quote* solidarity *quote* that occurred in Paris was still in place *period* reuter))

(0323 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET GETS 103 MLN STG HELP)
     (LONDON *comma* April 9)
     (The Bank of England said it operated in the money market this morning *comma* buying 103 mln stg bank bills *period* The central bank bought in band one 60 mln stg at 9 *dash* 7 *slash* 8 *comma* in band two eight mln at 9 *dash* 13 *slash* 16 *comma* in band three 26 mln at 9 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 and in band four nine mln stg at 9 *dash* 11 *slash* 16 pct *period* This compares with the bank *apostrophe* s forecast of a 400 mln stg shortfall today *period* REUTER))

(0324 (organic) 
     (THAILAND TO RENEW LONG TERM SUGAR CONTRACTS -TRADE)
     (LONDON *comma* April 9)
     (Thailand is to negotiate tomorrow with selected trade houses for renewal of long term raw sugar sales contracts *comma* to cover the next five years at a rate of 60 *comma* 000 tonnes annually *comma* traders said *period* They also reported vague talk Algeria may be seeking 50 *comma* 000 tonnes of raws tomorrow but details are unclear *period* REUTER))

(0325 (financial) 
     (SWISS TO LAUNCH NEW SERIES OF MONEY MARKET PAPER)
     (ZURICH *comma* April 9)
     (The Swiss Federal Government will launch a new series of three month money market certificates totalling around 150 mln Swiss francs *comma* the National Bank said *period* Subscriptions close April 14 and payment date is April 16 *period* The last series of three month paper issued in March raised 147 *period* 3 mln francs at an issue price of 99 *period* 142 pct *comma* giving an average annual yield of 3 *period* 501 pct *period* REUTER))

(0326 (financial) 
     (EUROPEAN MARKETS REACT QUIETLY TO G-7 COMMUNIQUE)
     (ZURICH *comma* April 9)
     (European currency markets reacted quietly to the G *dash* 7 communique *comma* with comments from bankers and dealers ranging from disappointment that it was not more concrete to surprise that the markets should have expected so much *period* The dollar opened lower against virtually all currencies and traded in a narrow range after the communique *comma* which reaffirmed support for the Paris accord on currency stabilisation but contained no moves to strengthen it *period* Frankfurt and Zurich dealers saw the dollar staying broadly entrenched in its current trading range *period* REUTER))

(0327 (organic) 
     (WEST GERMAN BEET PLANTINGS DELAYED THREE WEEKS)
     (HAMBURG *comma* April 9)
     (Unseasonal cold weather has delayed sugar beet plantings in West Germany by up to three weeks *comma* the agriculture ministry said *period* A ministry spokesman said in some central areas *comma* especially in the Rhineland *comma* farmers have taken advantage of warmer weather and started plantings in the past two days *period* West German planting intentions this year are put at 381 *comma* 000 hectares *comma* down from 390 *comma* 500 ha last year *comma* he said *comma* adding that the 1980 *slash* 1985 average was 405 *comma* 000 ha *period* REUTER))

(0328 (metal) 
     (BELGIUM LAUNCHES BONDS WITH GOLD WARRANTS)
     (ZURICH *comma* April 9)
     (The Kingdom of Belgium is launching 100 mln Swiss francs of seven year notes with warrants attached to buy gold *comma* lead mananger Credit Suisse said *period* The notes themselves have a 3 *dash* 3 *slash* 8 pct coupon and are priced at par *period* Payment is due April 30 *comma* 1987 and final maturity April 30 *comma* 1994 *period* Each 50 *comma* 000 franc note carries 15 warrants *period* Two warrants are required to allow the holder to buy 100 grammes of gold at a price of 2 *comma* 450 francs *comma* during the entire life of the bond *period* The latest gold price in Zurich was 2 *comma* 045 *slash* 2 *comma* 070 francs per 100 grammes *period* REUTER))

(0329 (metal) 
     (BELGIUM LAUNCHES BONDS WITH GOLD WARRANTS)
     (ZURICH *comma* April 9)
     (The Kingdom of Belgium is launching 100 mln Swiss francs of seven year notes with warrants attached to buy gold *comma* lead manager Credit Suisse said *period* The notes themselves have a 3 *dash* 3 *slash* 8 pct coupon and are priced at par *period* Payment is due April 30 *comma* 1987 *comma* and final maturity April 30 *comma* 1994 *period* Each 50 *comma* 000 franc note carries 15 warrants *period* Two warrants are required to allow the holder to buy 100 grammes of gold at a price of 2 *comma* 450 francs *comma* during the entire life of the bond *period* The latest gold price in Zurich was 2 *comma* 045 *slash* 2 *comma* 070 francs per 100 grammes *period* Reuter))

(0330 (organic) 
     (RPT *dash* ARGENTINE GRAIN *slash* OILSEED EXPORT PRICES ADJUSTED)
     (BUENOS AIRES *comma* April 8)
     (The Argentine Grain Board adjusted minimum export prices of grain and oilseed products in dlrs per tonne FOB *comma* previous in brackets *comma* as follows *colon*  Sorghum 64 *lparen* 63 *rparen* *comma* sunflowerseed cake and expellers 103 *lparen* 102 *rparen* *comma* pellets 101 *lparen* 100 *rparen* *comma* meal 99 *lparen* 98 *rparen* *comma* linseed oil 274 *lparen* 264 *rparen* *comma* groundnutseed oil 450 *lparen* 445 *rparen* *comma* soybean oil 300 *lparen* 290 *rparen* *comma* rapeseed oil 290 *lparen* 280 *rparen* *period* Sunflowerseed oil for shipment through May 323 *lparen* 313 *rparen* and june onwards 330 *lparen* 320 *rparen* *period* The board also adjusted export prices at which export taxes are levied in dlrs per tonne FOB *comma* previous in brackets *comma* as follows *colon*  Bran pollard wheat 40 *lparen* 42 *rparen* *comma* pellets 42 *lparen* 44 *rparen* *period* REUTER))

(0331 (organic) 
     (ARGENTINE CATTLE MARKET REPORT)
     (BUENOS AIRES *comma* APR 9)
     (ABOUT 3 *comma* 314 HEAD OF CATTLE WERE AUCTIONED IN LINIERS CATTLE MARKET *comma* AGAINST 13 *comma* 952 ON WEDNESDAY AND 9 *comma* 217 LAST THURSDAY *comma* TRADE SOURCES SAID *period* MAXIMUN PRICES *comma* IN AUSTRALES PER KILO *comma* WITH DOLLAR EQUIVALENT IN BRACKETS *comma* INCLUDED *colon*  TODAY WEDNESDAY STEERS OVER 480 KILOS 1 *period* 02 *lparen* 0 *period* 658 *rparen* 1 *period* 015 *lparen* 0 *period* 654 *rparen* STEERS 460 TO 480 KILOS 1 *period* 05 *lparen* 0 *period* 677 *rparen* 1 *period* 032 *lparen* 0 *period* 665 *rparen* COWS FOR CANNING 0 *period* 56 *lparen* 0 *period* 361 *rparen* 0 *period* 56 *lparen* 0 *period* 361 *rparen* REUTER))

(0332 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET DEFICIT REVISED DOWNWARD)
     (LONDON *comma* April 9)
     (The Bank of England said it has revised its estimate of today *apostrophe* s shortfall to 350 mln stg from 400 mln *comma* before taking account of 103 mln stg morning assistance *period* REUTER))

(0333 (petro) 
     (U *period* S *period*  ENERGY FUTURES CALLED UNCHANGED TO LOWER)
     (NEW YORK *comma* APRIL 9)
     (Traders expect U *period* S *period* energy futures will open unchanged to slightly lower this morning with support near yesterday *apostrophe* s lows *period* Crude futures are called unchanged to five cts weaker tracking unchanged domestic crudes and North Sea Brent crude *comma* which traded at 18 *period* 01 dlrs a barrel today *comma* about ten cts below yesterday *apostrophe* s New York close *period* Traders said the supply squeeze in 15 *dash* day forward April Brent appears to have ended *period* Product futures *comma* which fell sharply yesterday *comma* are due to open unchanged to 0 *period* 25 cent lower *comma* traders said *period* Traders expect some followthrough selling in products but said gasoil futures in London will probably lend some support since they are trading as expected *period* May gasoil futures were off 1 *period* 50 dlrs a tonne this morning while June was down 1 *period* 25 dlrs in thin conditions *period* Reuter))

(0334 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET DEFICIT REMOVED)
     (LONDON *comma* April 9)
     (The Bank of England said it has satisfied its revised estimate of today *apostrophe* s shortfall in the money market *comma* providing 261 mln stg assistance in afternoon operations *period* The Bank bought in band one *comma* 60 mln stg bank bills at 9 *dash* 7 *slash* 8 pct and in band two 200 mln stg bank bills and one mln stg treasury bills at 9 *dash* 13 *slash* 16 pct *period* This brings the total help so far today to 364 mln stg *comma* compared with its deficit estimate of 350 mln stg *period* REUTER))

(0335 (financial) 
     (LEBANESE POUND FALLS SHARPLY AGAINST DOLLAR)
     (BEIRUT *comma* April 9)
     (The Lebanese Pound fell sharply against the U *period* S *period* Dollar again today with dealers attributing the decline to continued political uncertainty *period* The pound closed at 118 *period* 25 *slash* 118 *period* 75 against the dollar compared to yesterday *apostrophe* s close of 115 *period* 60 *slash* 115 *period* 80 *period* *quote* Political deadlock is reflected in the pound *apostrophe* s position *period* There was more demand and less on offer in the market *comma* *quote* one dealer told Reuters *period* The pound *comma* which was at 18 to the dollar in January *comma* 1986 *comma* has lost more than 30 pct of its international value over the past three months *period* REUTER))

(0336 (organic) 
     (HOG AND CATTLE SLAUGHTER GUESSTIMATES)
     (CHICAGO *comma* April 9)
     (Chicago Mercantile Exchange floor traders and commission house representatives are guesstimating today *apostrophe* s hog slaughter at about 287 *comma* 000 to 295 *comma* 000 head versus 292 *comma* 000 week ago and 322 *comma* 000 a year ago *period* Cattle slaughter is guesstimated at about 124 *comma* 000 to 128 *comma* 000 head versus 129 *comma* 000 week ago and 134 *comma* 000 a year ago *period* Reuter))

(0337 (organic) 
     (BRAZILIAN SOY RAINFALL)
     (SAOPAULO *comma* APRIL 9)
     (THE FOLLOWING RAINFALL WAS RECORDED IN THE 24 HOURS UP TO *lparen* 1200 *rparen* GMT TODAY PARANA STATE *colon*  CASCAVEL NIL *comma* PONTA GROSSA NIL *comma* CAMPO MOURAO NIL *comma* LONDRINA NIL *comma* MARINGA NIL *period* RIO GRANDO DO SUL STATE *colon*  PASSO FUNDO NIL *comma* SANTA MARIA 7 *period* 0 MILLIMETRES *comma* CRUZ ALTA 8 *period* 5 MM *comma* SAO LUIZ GONZAGA 4 *period* 4 MM *period* REUTER))

(0338 (organic) 
     (BRAZILIAN COFFEE RAINFALL)
     (SAO PAULO *comma* APRIL 9)
     (THE FOLLOWING RAINFALL WAS RECORDED IN THE AREAS OVER THE PAST 24 HOURS PARANA STATE *colon*  UMUARAMA NIL *comma* PARANAVAI NIL *comma* LONDRINA NIL *comma* MARINGA NIL *period* SAO PAULO STATE PRESIDENTE PRUDENTE NIL *comma* VOTUPORANGA NIL *comma* FRANCA NIL *comma* CATANDUVA NIL *comma* SAO CARLOS NIL *comma* SAO SIMAO NIL *period* MINAS GERAIS STATE *colon*  GUAXUPE NIL *comma* TRES PONTAS NIL *period* REUTER))

(0339 (organic) 
     (EGYPT BUYS PL 480 WHEAT FLOUR *dash* U *period* S *period*  TRADERS)
     (KANSAS CITY *comma* April 9)
     (Egypt bought 125 *comma* 723 tonnes of U *period* S *period* wheat flour in its PL 480 tender yesterday *comma* trade sources said *period* The purchase included 51 *comma* 880 tonnes for May shipment and 73 *comma* 843 tonnes for June shipment *period* Price details were not available *period* Reuter))

(0340 (organic) 
     (INDIA OILSEED OUTPUT FORECAST TO RISE)
     (NEW DELHI *comma* April 9)
     (India *apostrophe* s oilseed output is expected to rise to 12 *period* 25 mln tonnes in 1986 *slash* 87 ending October *comma* up on 11 *period* 15 mln in 1985 *slash* 86 but down from 12 *period* 95 mln harvested in 1984 *slash* 85 *comma* the Agriculture Ministry *apostrophe* s 1986 *slash* 87 report said *period* But the forecast for 1986 *slash* 87 is well below a target of 14 *period* 8 mln tonnes fixed for the year *comma* it said *comma* adding bad weather hit groundnut and other oilseed crops *period* The National Oilseeds Development Program will invest 300 mln rupees in 1986 *slash* 87 on supplying improved high *dash* yielding seeds and other support services to help boost production *comma* it added *period* India imports about 1 *period* 2 mln tonnes of edible oils a year *period* Reuter))

(0341 (organic) 
     (YUGOSLAVIA TO TENDER FOR 100 *comma* 000 TONNES WHEAT)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (Yugoslavia will tender April 14 for 100 *comma* 000 tonnes of wheat *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department *apostrophe* s Counselor in Belgrade said in a field report *period* The report *comma* dated April 7 *comma* said the wheat must be from 1986 and 1987 harvest *comma* and imports of soft wheat from Europe and from other suppliers will not be considered *period* It said the imports will be used to rebuild the federal reserves and as a result will not be subject to import surcharges *period* Reuter))

(0342 (financial) 
     (KAPOK CORP CURES TECHNICAL DEFAULTS)
     (CLEARWATER *comma* Fla *period* *comma* April 9)
     (Kapok Corp said it has cured technical defaults on laons from Southeast Banking Corp and Murray Steinfeld and has negotiated extensions of both loans *period* The company also said it has arranged a one mln dlr loan secured by its Fort Lauderdale *comma* Fla *period* *comma* property from Republic Bank for Savings of Jackson *comma* Miss *period* *comma* and has sold its Peter Pan Restaurant in Urbana *comma* Md *period* *comma* for 1 *comma* 100 *comma* 000 dlrs *period* Reuter))

(0343 (financial) 
     (FED MAY ADD RESERVES TO BANKING SYSTEM)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 9)
     (The Federal Reserve may intervene in the government securities market to supply temporary reserves indirectly via customer repurchase agreements *comma* economists said *period* They said that while the Fed faces no great urgency to add reserves at the start of the two *dash* week maintenance period today it would probably do so in order to offset a relatively high federal funds rate *period* Fed funds opened at 6 *dash* 3 *slash* 16 pct and remained there in early trading *period* Yesterday *comma* they averaged 6 *period* 45 pct *comma* after rising as high as seven pct at the close *period* Reuter))

(0344 (organic) 
     (FRENCH FREE MARKET CEREAL EXPORT BIDS DETAILED)
     (PARIS *comma* April 9)
     (French operators have requested licences to export 320 *comma* 000 tonnes of free market barley *comma* 225 *comma* 000 tonnes of maize *comma* 25 *comma* 000 tonnes of free market bread *dash* making wheat and 20 *comma* 000 tonnes of feed wheat at today *apostrophe* s EC tender *comma* trade sources said *period* For the barley *comma* rebates of between 138 and 141 *period* 25 European currency units *lparen* Ecus *rparen* per tonne were sought *comma* for maize they were between 129 *period* 65 and 139 Ecus *comma* for bread *dash* making wheat around 145 Ecus and for feed wheat around 142 *period* 45 Ecus *period* Barley rebates of up to 138 *period* 50 Ecus were requested for a total of 40 *comma* 000 tonnes and at 139 Ecus for 85 *comma* 000 tonnes *period* Rebates of up to 130 Ecus per tonne were requested for a total of 55 *comma* 000 tonnes maize and up to 131 Ecus for 105 *comma* 000 tonnes *comma* the sources said *period* Reuter))

(0345 (metal) 
     (SPOT TIN EASIER ON EUROPEAN FREE MARKET)
     (LONDON *comma* April 9)
     (Spot tin on the European free market was indicated in the easier range 4 *comma* 200 to 4 *comma* 230 stg per tonne *comma* for high grade metal in warehouse Rotterdam *comma* down 20 stg from yesterday *apostrophe* s afternoon kerb close *period* Stability in sterling versus the dollar continued to apply pressure to a market which is coming close to testing a psychological chart support base at 4 *comma* 200 stg *comma* traders said *period* Dealers said major consumers still need to cover their May and June requirements but are holding out for even lower offers *period* Reported high grade tin business in London was confined to end April metal at 4 *comma* 225 stg *period* Small *dash* scale spot business was reported by West German operators at 12 *period* 60 and 12 *period* 63 marks per kilo although the market was still being undercut by Chinese material *comma* which traded at one stage down to 12 *period* 54 marks per kilo *comma* traders said *period* REUTER))

(0346 (financial) 
     (LAWSON SEES NO CHANGE IN U *period* K *period*  MONETARY POLICY)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (British Chancellor of the Exchequer Nigel Lawson said he saw no immediate implications for British monetary policy arising from the Group of Seven meeting yesterday *period* *quote* Exchange rate stability is in the U *period* K *period* *apostrophe* s interest *comma* *quote* he told journalists *period* Asked what it meant for U *period* K *period* monetary policy *comma* he said *comma* *quote* No *comma* I do not think there are any immediate implications *period* *quote* Reuter))

(0347 (organic) 
     (EASTERN DISTRIBUTIVE BEEF TRADE WEEKLY *dash* USDA)
     (North Brunswick *comma* NJ *comma* Apr 9)
     (Demand good for moderate supplies of most beef cuts *comma* However *comma* limited interest noted for tenderloins *slash* flank steaks *period* Yield grade 2 *dash* 3 beef cuts *comma* fabricated items *comma* vacuum packed *period* LBS CHOICE ROUND CUTS *dash* steady *slash* up 11 *period* 00 160 round *comma* part bnls 50 *dash* 85 few 137 161 round *comma* bnls 42 *dash* 80 few 147 161 diamond cut 49 *dash* 85 few 149 167 knuckle 8 *dash* 15 few 148 167a knuckle *comma* peeled 8 *dash* 15 few 163 168 top inside round 14 *dash* 26 165 *dash* 175 170 bottom gooseneck rnd 18 *dash* 33 131 *dash* 135 More))

(0348 (financial) 
     (SPRINKEL SAYS TAX HIKE WOULD NOT REDUCE DEFICIT)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (Council of Economic Advisers chairman Beryl Sprinkel said the Reagan Administration remains strongly opposed to a tax increase *comma* including 18 billion dlrs of new revenues in the budget plan by Congressional Democrats *period* *quote* We believe that significant increases in taxes would not reduce deficits and could have adverse effects on growth *comma* *quote* Sprinkel told the House Rules Committee *period* He said the Administration wanted to continue its policy of gradually reducing deficits through restraining government spending and promoting economic growth *period* Sprinkel said cutting the budget deficit was the best way to lower the trade deficit *period* Reuter))

(0349 (financial) 
     (HONEYWELL BULL SEEKING 400 MLN DLR FACILITY)
     (PARIS *comma* April 9)
     (is seeking a 400 mln dlr *comma* five *dash* year multi option facility *comma* arranger Banque Nationale de Paris said *period* The facility will be co *dash* arranged by Morgan Guaranty and The Industrial Bank of Japan Ltd *period* The operation has an *quote* evergreen *quote* facility and can be extended up to eight years *comma* BNP said *period* The facility will be made up of two components *period* The first *quote* A *quote* part will consist of a maximum 400 mln dlrs with a maximum spread of Libor plus 3 *slash* 8 pct *period* Component *quote* B *comma* *quote* to be unsecured *comma* will be for a maximum of 200 mln dlrs with a maximum spread of Libor plus 5 *slash* 8 pct for the first three years *comma* Libor plus 3 *slash* 4 pct for the fourth to sixth years and LIBOR plus 7 *slash* 8 pct for the seventh year *period* Honeywell Bull was recently created by Cie des Machines Bull *comma* and of Japan *period* REUTER))

(0350 (organic) 
     (EC GRANTS FREE MARKET BARLEY *comma*  MAIZE EXPORTS)
     (LONDON *comma* April 9)
     (The European Commission authorised the export of 65 *comma* 000 tonnes of free market barley at today *apostrophe* s tender at a maximum rebate of 138 *period* 75 European currency units and 55 *comma* 000 tonnes of French maize at 130 Ecus *comma* grain traders here said *period* It rejected bids for breadmaking and feed wheat *comma* they said *period* Reuter))

(0351 (financial) 
     (FED SEEN BUYING DOLLARS FOR YEN IN OPEN MARKET)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 9)
     (The Federal Reserve was detected buying dollars for yen in the open market as the dollar fell to a 40 *dash* year low of 144 *period* 60 yen in nervous late morning trading *comma* currency dealers said *period* They said the size of the intervention was relatively modest so far but it was a clear indication that the U *period* S *period* remained committed to the late February Paris currency stabilization accord *comma* which was reaffirmed in Washington last night *period* A Fed spokeswoman had no comment on the dealer reports *period* The dollar hovered around 144 *period* 70 just before midday *period* Reuter))

(0352 (financial) 
     (FRANCE *quote* S BALLADUR SAYS TARGET ZONE NOTION NEARER)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (French Finance Minister Edouard Balladur said that the financial community is closer to arriving at a system of target zones for currencies despite the fact that little is being said about them *period* Speaking with reporters at the semiannual meetings of the International Monetary Fund *comma* Balladur said *comma* *quote* We are not very far from the notion of target zones *comma* even if we don *apostrophe* t say so *period* *quote* He told reporters that *quote* our ideas are progressing *comma* *quote* adding that the finance ministers have been talking about more cooperation on economic policies and on levels around which currencies should stabilize *period* Reuter))

(0353 (organic) 
     (FIRE AT TATE *slash* LYLE LONDON JETTY HALTS UNLOADING)
     (LONDON *comma* April 9)
     (No raw sugar is being unloaded at Tate and Lyles refinery at Silvertown on the River Thames following a fire yesterday afternoon *comma* Tate and Lyle Plc said *period* The fire destroyed a large sector of the main conveyor from the raw sugar jetty to the weighhouse *period* The company said it is not yet known how long the jetty will be out of use but it hoped that by tomorrow unloading of the bulk carrier Mykon Wave will be able to continue using temporary arrangements *comma* Tate and Lyle said *period* The Mykon Wave arrived in the port recently with about 18 *comma* 300 tonnes of bulk sugar from Maputo in Swaziland *period* About 1 *comma* 600 tonnes remain to be discharged *period* Five other ships loaded with raw sugar are awaiting at Silvertown to be discharged *comma* Tate and Lyle added *period* Reuter))

(0354 (organic) 
     (GRAIN SHIPS WAITING AT NEW ORLEANS)
     (New Orleans *comma* April 9)
     (Ten grain ships were loading and 14 were waiting to load at New Orleans elevators *comma* trade sources said *period* ELEVATOR LOADING WAITING Continental Grain *comma* Westwego 1 6 Mississippi River *comma* Myrtle Grove 1 0 ADM Growmark 1 4 Bunge Grain *comma* Destrehan 1 0 ELEVATOR LOADING WAITING ST CHARLES DESTREHAN 1 1 RESERVE ELEVATOR CORP 1 0 PEAVEY CO *comma* ST ELMO 1 0 CARGILL GRAIN *comma* TERRE HAUTE 2 1 CARGILL GRAIN *comma* PORT ALLEN 0 0 ZEN *dash* NOH 1 2 reuter))

(0355 (organic) 
     (COLOMBIA JAN EXPORTS UP BUT COFFEE VALUES FALL)
     (Bogota *comma* april 9)
     (The value of colombian exports other than coffee rose 55 pct in january compared with the same period last year *comma* apparently setting a trend for the trade balance in 1987 *comma* government statistics institute figures show *period* They amounted to 180 *period* 8 mln dlrs fob compared with 147 *period* 5 mln dlrs for coffee *comma* a drop of 42 pct from last year *period* The trade balance registered a 35 mln dlr surplus *comma* compared with a 56 mln dlr surplus in january 1986 *period* The national planning department forecast that in 1987 coffee *comma* colombia *apostrophe* s traditional major export *comma* will account for only one *dash* third of total exports *comma* or about 1 *period* 5 billion dlrs *period* Reuter))

(0356 (organic) 
     (LONDON GRAIN FREIGHTS)
     (LONDON *comma* April 9)
     (FIXTURES *dash* TBN *dash* 27 *comma* 000 long tons USG *slash* Taiwan 23 *period* 25 dlrs fio five days *slash* 1 *comma* 500 1 *dash* 10 *slash* 5 Continental *period* Trade Banner *dash* 30 *comma* 000 long tons grain USG *slash* Morocco 13 *period* 50 dlrs 5 *comma* 000 *slash* 5 *comma* 000 end *dash* April *slash* early *dash* May Comanav *period* Reference New York Grain Freights 1 of April 8 *comma* ship brokers say the vessel fixed by Cam from the Great Lakes to Algeria at 28 dlrs is reported to be the Vamand Wave *period* Reference New York Grain Freights 2 of April 8 *comma* they say the Cory Grain maize business from East London at 22 dlrs is to Japan and not to Spain as reported *period* Reuter))

(0357 (organic) 
     (LONDON SUGAR FREIGHTS)
     (LONDON *comma* April 9)
     (FIXTURES *dash* TBN 14 *comma* 00 mt bulk sugar Fiji *slash* Prai 16 dlrs fio 10 *comma* 000 *slash* 1 *comma* 000 1 *dash* 10 *slash* 5 Fiji Sugar Marketing *period* TBN 15 *comma* 000 mt bulk sugar Queensland *slash* Japan 14 *period* 65 dlrs fio 10 *comma* 000 *slash* 1 *comma* 000 20 *dash* 30 *slash* 4 CSR *period* ENQUIRIES *dash* Antwerp *slash* 1 *dash* 3 ports Greece 40 *comma* 000 mt bagged sugar indications 750 *slash* 750 in shipments of 10 *comma* 000 *slash* 15 *comma* 000 tonnes spread from May to July a *slash* c unnamed charterer *period* Inchon *slash* India 12 *comma* 600 mt bagged sugar 1 *comma* 000 *slash* 1 *comma* 000 20 *slash* 4 *dash* 5 *slash* 5 a *slash* c Kaines *period* Reunion *slash* 1 *dash* 2 ports Portugal 10 *comma* 000 mt bulk sugar about 20 dlrs 2 *comma* 000 *slash* 750 1 *dash* 10 *slash* 5 a *slash* c French charterer *period* Reuter))

(0358 (organic) 
     (LONDON GRAIN FREIGHT ENQUIRIES)
     (LONDON *comma* April 9)
     (Antwerp *slash* Libya 5 *comma* 500 mt bagged flour 14 daps 24 *dash* 27 *slash* 4 *period* New Orleans *slash* Guanta 9 *comma* 387 mt bulk hss 3 *comma* 000 *slash* 13 days 25 *dash* 4 *slash* 5 *dash* 5 *period* Naantali *slash* Saudi Red Sea 30 *comma* 000 *slash* 35 *comma* 000 mt barley 4 *comma* 000 *slash* 3 *comma* 000 20 *dash* 30 *slash* 4 or early May *period* Dunkirk *slash* Xingang 12 *comma* 000 mt bagged flour 1 *comma* 500 *slash* 1 *comma* 700 13 *dash* 20 *slash* 4 *period* Toledo *slash* Seaforth 17 *comma* 000 mt hss offers 18 *period* 50 dlrs four days *slash* 8 *comma* 000 13 *dash* 15 *slash* 4 *period* River Plate *slash* Malaysia 20 *comma* 000 *slash* 22 *comma* 000 long tons hss 2 *comma* 000 *slash* 2 *comma* 000 Apr *period* Reuter))

(0359 (organic) 
     (EXPORTS OTHER THAN COFFEE RISE SHARPLY IN COLOMBIA)
     (BOGOTA *comma* April 9)
     (Colombian exports other than coffee rose 55 pct in January compared with the same period last year *comma* figures from the government statistics institute show *period* Non *dash* coffee exports amounted to 180 *period* 8 mln dlrs fob compared with 147 *period* 5 mln dlrs for coffee *comma* a drop of 42 pct from last year *period* The trade balance registered a 35 mln dlr surplus *comma* compared with a 56 mln dlr surplus in January 1986 *period* The national planning department forecast that in 1987 coffee *comma* Colombia *apostrophe* s traditional major export *comma* will account for only one third of total exports *comma* or about 1 *period* 5 billion dlrs *period* REUTER))

(0360 (organic) 
     (MOROCCO TENDERS FOR 55 *comma* 000 TONNES PL 480 SOYOIL)
     (CHICAGO *comma* April 9)
     (Morocco is scheduled to tender April 14 for a total of 55 *comma* 000 tonnes of U *period* S *period* soyoil under PL *dash* 480 for shipments from May through September *comma* private export sources said *period* The tender calls for shipment of 6 *comma* 100 tonnes in May *comma* 12 *comma* 200 tonnes each in June *comma* July and August and 12 *comma* 300 tonnes in September *comma* they said *period* Reuter))

(0361 (financial) 
     (SPAIN *quote* S FOREIGN RESERVES RISE IN FEBRUARY)
     (MADRID *comma* April 9)
     (Spain *apostrophe* s foreign reserves rose by 905 mln dlrs in February to total 17 *period* 05 billion dlrs *comma* compared with 14 *period* 11 billion dlrs in February 1986 *comma* Bank of Spain figures show *period* Under a new accounting system introduced this month *comma* Spain *apostrophe* s foreign reserves now exclude foreign currency held by financial institutions *period* Under the previous system *comma* Spain *apostrophe* s foreign reserves would have risen by 391 mln dlrs in February *comma* taking into account a fall of 514 mln dlrs in financial institutions *apostrophe* foreign currency position *period* In January this year *comma* the Central Bank *apostrophe* s foreign reserves rose by 143 mln dlrs *comma* while financial institutions *apostrophe* foreign currency position fell by 118 mln dlrs *period* REUTER))

(0362 (organic) 
     (USDA REPORTS EXPORT SALES ACTIVITY)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said private U *period* S *period* exporters reported sales of 200 *comma* 000 tonnes of wheat to Jordan *comma* 300 *comma* 000 tonnes of soybean meal to Iraq and 100 *comma* 000 tonnes of corn to Algeria *period* The wheat for Jordan includes 165 *comma* 000 tonnes of hard red winter and 35 *comma* 000 tonnes of soft red winter and is for delivery during the 1987 *slash* 88 marketing year *period* The soybean meal sales to Iraq includes 180 *comma* 000 tonnes for delivery during the 1986 *slash* 87 season and 120 *comma* 000 tonnes during the 1987 *slash* 88 season *comma* the department said *period* The 100 *comma* 000 tonnes of corn sales to Algeria are for delivery during the 1986 *slash* 87 season *comma* it said *period* The marketing year for wheat begins June 1 *comma* corn September 1 *comma* and soybean meal October 1 *period* Reuter))

(0363 (organic) 
     (EXPORT BONUS WHEAT FOR JORDAN --USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (The Commodity Credit Corporation *lparen* CCC *rparen* accepted eight bonus offers from two exporters on sales of 190 *comma* 000 tonnes of hard red winter and 35 *comma* 000 tonnes of soft red winter wheat to Jordan *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* The department said the bonuses awarded averaged 38 *period* 08 dlrs per tonne and the wheat is for delivery May *dash* November *comma* 1987 *period* The bonus awards were made to Louis Dreyfus Corp *lparen* 200 *comma* 000 tonnes *rparen* *comma* and Continental Grain Co *lparen* 25 *comma* 000 tonnes *rparen* and will be paid in the form of commodities from CCC stocks *period* The purchases of U *period* S *period* wheat completes the Export Enhancement Program initiative announced on December 31 *comma* 1986 *period* Reuter))

(0364 (organic) 
     (EXPORT BONUS WHEAT FLOUR TO IRAQ --USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (The Commodity Credit Corporation *lparen* CCC *rparen* accepted a bid for an export bonus to cover a sale of 12 *comma* 500 tonnes of U *period* S *period* wheat flour to Iraq *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* The department said the bonus awarded was 105 *period* 82 dlrs per tonne and the wheat flour is for shipment July 1 *dash* 10 *comma* 1987 *period* The bonus was awarded to The Pillsbury Company and will be paid in the form of commodities from CCC stocks *period* An additional 150 *comma* 000 tonnes of wheat flour is still available to Iraq under the Export Enhancement Program initiative announced January 7 *comma* 1987 *comma* the department said *period* Reuter))

(0365 (organic) 
     (RICE SUPPLY *slash* DEMAND FOR THAILAND -- USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department detailed rice supply *slash* demand milled *dash* basis data for Thailand *comma* the world *apostrophe* s major rice exporter *comma* as follows in mln tonnes *dash* *dash* 1986 *slash* 87 1985 *slash* 86 04 *slash* 09 *slash* 87 03 *slash* 09 *slash* 87 04 *slash* 09 *slash* 87 03 *slash* 09 *slash* 87 Start Stcks 1 *period* 32 1 *period* 33 1 *period* 46 1 *period* 46 Production 11 *period* 88 12 *period* 14 13 *period* 00 13 *period* 00 Imports NIL NIL NIL NIL Domes Use 8 *period* 73 8 *period* 73 8 *period* 80 8 *period* 80 Exports 3 *period* 70 3 *period* 70 4 *period* 34 4 *period* 34 End Stocks 0 *period* 77 1 *period* 04 1 *period* 32 1 *period* 33 Reuter))

(0366 (organic) 
     (CCC GUARANTEES TO IRAQ SWITCHED --USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (The Commodity Credit Corporation *lparen* CCC *rparen* has transferred 12 *period* 0 mln dlrs in credit guarantees previously earmarked for sales of U *period* S *period* hatching eggs and 7 *period* 0 mln dlrs in guarantees for breeder livestock to increase coverage on sales of U *period* S *period* protein concentrates to Iraq *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* The action was taken at the request of Iraq *apostrophe* s State Trade Organization for Grains and Foodstuffs and reduces the line for hatching eggs to zero and the line for breeder livestock from 15 *period* 0 mln dlrs to 8 *period* 0 mln dlrs *comma* the department said *period* The guarantee line for sales of protein concentrates has been increased from 25 *period* 0 mln dlrs to 44 *period* 0 mln dlrs *comma* it said *period* Reuter))

(0367 (financial) 
     (NEW YORK BUSINESS LOANS FALL 1 *period* 31 BILLION DLRS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 9)
     (Commercial and industrial loans on the books of the 10 major New York banks *comma* excluding acceptances *comma* fell 1 *period* 31 billion dlrs to 62 *period* 70 billion in the week ended April 1 *comma* the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said *period* Including acceptances *comma* loans dropped 1 *period* 34 billion dlrs to 63 *period* 23 billion *period* Commercial paper outstanding nationally fell 4 *period* 80 billion dlrs to 334 *period* 28 billion *period* National business loan data are scheduled to be released on Friday *period* Reuter))

(0368 (financial) 
     (N *period* Y *period*  BANK DISCOUNT BORROWINGS 169 MLN DLRS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 9)
     (The eight major New York City banks had daily average borrowings of 169 mln dlrs from the Federal Reserve in the week ended April 8 *comma* a Fed spokesman said *period* A Fed spokesman said that all of the borrowings were made yesterday by fewer than half the banks *period* It was the second half of the two *dash* week bank statement period that ended on Wednesday *period* Average borrowings by these banks were 142 mln dlrs in the first week of the period *period* Reuter))

(0369 (petro) 
     (LA LAND  *comma* DU PONT GET EXPLORATION TRACTS)
     (NEW ORLEANS *comma* April 9)
     (Louisiana Land and Exploration Co said it *comma* Du Pont Co *apostrophe* s Conoco Inc subsidiary and have been offered four exploration blocks offshore The Netherlands *period* Louisiana Land said Blocks Q4a *comma* E12c and E15b were offered to the group in which Conoco has a 67 *period* 5 pct interest *comma* Louisiana Land 20 pct and Orange *dash* Nassau 12 *period* 5 pct *comma* while this group along with a consortium headed by Pennzoil Co were offered Block Q5c *period* The offers were the result of applications submitted to the Ministry of Economic Affairs for the Netherlands Sixth Offshore Licensing Round *period* Louisiana Land said the Conoco group intends to provide a formal acceptance of the blocks with plans to start exploration this year *period* The company also said the two Q blocks immediately offset other offshore blocks on which hydrocarbons have been found in commercial quantities *period* Reuter))

(0370 (metal) 
     (NORANDA BEGINS MURDOCHVILLE MINE SALVAGE)
     (TORONTO *comma* April 9)
     (Noranda Inc said it began salvage operations at its Murdochville *comma* Quebec mine where a fire last week killed one miner and caused 10 mln dlrs in damage *period* Noranda said the cause and full extent of the damage is still unknown but the fire destroyed 6 *comma* 000 feet of conveyor belt *period* The company said extreme heat from the fire caused severe rock degradation along several ramps and drifts in the mine *period* Production at the mine has been suspended until investigations are complete *period* The copper mine and smelter produced 72 *comma* 000 tons of copper anodes in 1986 *period* The smelter continues to operate with available concentrate from stockpiled supplies *comma* Noranda said *period* Reuter))

(0371 (financial) 
     (U *period* S *period*  M-1 MONEY SUPPLY FALLS TWO BILLION DLRS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 9)
     (U *period* S *period* M *dash* 1 money supply fell two billion dlrs to a seasonally adjusted 738 *period* 9 billion dlrs in the March 30 week *comma* the Federal Reserve said *period* The previous week *apostrophe* s M *dash* 1 level was revised to 740 *period* 9 billion dlrs from 741 *period* 0 billion *comma* while the four *dash* week moving average of M *dash* 1 rose to 739 *period* 8 billion dlrs from 739 *period* 7 billion *period* Economists polled by Reuters said that M *dash* 1 would be anywhere from down two billion dlrs to up 1 *period* 8 billion *period* Reuter))

(0372 (financial) 
     (ASSETS OF U *period* S *period*  MONEY FUNDS ROSE IN WEEK)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (Assets of money market mutual funds increased 1 *period* 39 billion dlrs in the week ended yesterday to 236 *period* 77 billion dlrs *comma* the Investment Company Institute said *period* Assets of 93 institutional funds were up 481 *period* 1 mln dlrs to 65 *period* 65 billion dlrs *comma* 93 broker *dash* dealer funds rose 285 *period* 3 mln dlrs to 107 *period* 31 billion dlrs *comma* and 197 general purpose funds gained 625 *period* 5 mln dlrs to 63 *period* 8 billion dlrs *period* Reuter))

(0373 (organic) 
     (GRAIN SHIPMENTS TO THE USSR -- USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (There were 287 *comma* 700 tonnes of U *period* S *period* corn shipped to the Soviet Union in the week ended April 2 *comma* according to the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department *apostrophe* s latest Export Sales report *period* That compares with 106 *comma* 200 tonnes shipped in the prior week *period* There were no wheat or soybean shipments during the week *period* The USSR has purchased 2 *comma* 825 *comma* 600 tonnes of U *period* S *period* corn *comma* as of April 2 *comma* for delivery in the fourth year of the U *period* S *period* *dash* USSR grain agreement *period* Total shipments in the third year of the U *period* S *period* *dash* USSR grains agreement *comma* which ended September 30 *comma* amounted to 152 *comma* 600 tonnes of wheat *comma* 6 *comma* 808 *comma* 100 tonnes of corn and 1 *comma* 518 *comma* 700 tonnes of soybeans *period* Reuter))

(0374 (petro) 
     (NERCI UNIT CLOSES OIL *slash* GAS ACQUISITION)
     (PORTLAND *comma* Ore *period* *comma* April 9)
     (Nerco Inc said its oil and gas unit closed the acquisition of a 47 pct working interest in the Broussard oil and gas field from for about 22 *period* 5 mln dlrs in cash *period* Nerco said it estimates the field *apostrophe* s total proved developed and undeveloped reserves at 24 billion cubic feet *comma* or equivalent *comma* of natural gas *comma* which more than doubles the company *apostrophe* s previous reserves *period* The field is located in southern Louisiana *period* Reuter))

(0375 (organic) 
     (N *period* Y *period*  GRAIN FREIGHTS *dash* April 9)
     (Nidera took TBN 12 *comma* 000 tonnes HSS Toledo to Casablanca
April 29)
     (*dash* May 5 25 *period* 00 dlrs three days load 1 *comma* 000 discharge Comanav took Radnik 20 *comma* 000 tonnes Lakehead to Morocco April 15 *dash* 25 22 *period* 00 dlrs 5 *comma* 000 load 3 *comma* 000 discharge Krohn took Akron 75 *comma* 000 tonnes anygrains on 55 feet stowage Mississippi River to Rotterdam May 1 *dash* 10 8 *period* 05 dlrs 12 days all purposes Continental took Legionario 40 *comma* 000 tonnes River Plate to Japan April 25 *dash* May 10 22 *period* 50 dlrs 2 *comma* 000 load 5 *comma* 000 free discharge Garnac took Sokorri 30 *comma* 000 tonnes U *period* S *period* Gulf to Constanza April 15 *dash* 25 17 *period* 00 dlrs load terms unknown 3 *comma* 000 discharge reuter))

(0376 (financial) 
     (CHILEAN TRADE SURPLUS NARROWS SLIGHTLY IN FEBRUARY)
     (Santiago *comma* april 9)
     (chile *apostrophe* s trade surplus narrowed to 102 *period* 2 mln dlrs in february *comma* from 105 *period* 4 mln dlrs in the same month last year *comma* but it was above the 18 *period* 2 *dash* mln *dash* dlr surplus recorded in january 1987 *comma* the central bank said *period* Exports in february totalled 379 *period* 4 mln dlrs *comma* 17 *period* 2 pct above the january figure *period* Imports fell 9 *period* 2 pct from the previous month to 277 *period* 2 mln dlrs *period* The figures for the same month last year were 314 mln and 208 *period* 6 mln dlrs *comma* respectively *period* The accumulated trade surplus over the first two months of 1987 stands at 120 *period* 4 mln dlrs against 132 *period* 8 mln dlrs the previous year *period* Reuter))

(0377 (financial) 
     (PAKISTAN GETS 70 MLN DLR WORLD BANK LOAN)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (The World Bank said it approved a 70 *dash* mln *dash* dlr *comma* 20 *dash* year loan to assist Pakistan in a project designed to improve power plant efficiency *period* Noting that a shortage of power constrains Pakistan *apostrophe* s economic development *comma* the Bank said one objective of the project is to provide at least 200 megawatts of additional generating capacity *period* Another objective is to improve the efficiency with which hydrocarbons are used by Pakistan *apostrophe* s Water and Power Development Authority *lparen* WAPDA *rparen* in power production *comma* it said *period* One effect of this would be reduced atmospheric pollution *period* Reuter))

(0378 (financial) 
     (MAURITIUS GETS 25 MLN DLR WORLD BANK LOAN)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (The World Bank said it approved a 25 mln dlr structural adjustment loan for Mauritius to aid that country *apostrophe* s industrial sector *period* The Bank said the 17 *dash* year loan will support policy reforms designed to help increase the efficiency of the country *apostrophe* s manufacturing sector *comma* develop export enterprises and encourage efficient use of resources *period* It added *comma* *quote* The increased availability of foreign exchange for imports is expected to help the expansion of industrial output and exports *period* *quote* Reuter))

(0379 (financial) 
     (N *period* Z *period*  TRADING BANK DEPOSIT GROWTH EASES SLIGHTLY)
     (WELLINGTON *comma* April 10)
     (New Zealand *apostrophe* s trading bank seasonally adjusted deposit growth rose 2 *period* 1 pct in February compared with a 2 *period* 6 pct rise in January *comma* the Reserve Bank said *period* Year *dash* on *dash* year total deposits rose 28 *period* 9 pct compared with a 30 *period* 6 pct rise in January and 34 *period* 4 pct rise in February a year ago period *comma* the bank said in its weekly statistical release *period* Total deposits rose to 17 *period* 55 billion N *period* Z *period* Dlrs in February compared with 17 *period* 18 billion in January and 13 *period* 61 billion in February 1986 *period* Reuter))

(0380 (financial) 
     (IDA GRANTS SRI LANKA 18 *period* 6 MLN DLR CREDIT)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (The International Development Association said it approved a 18 *period* 6 mln dlr credit to Sri Lanka to help that country strengthen its agricultural research and development *period* IDA *comma* the World Bank arm that makes interest free loans to the poorest nations *comma* said the credit will support changes designed to raise farm income by boosting production *comma* developing better crop varieties and improving farm systems *period* It said these goals will be accomplished through the establishment of a Council of Agricultural Research which will formulate and institute an agricultural research strategy *period* Reuter))

(0381 (financial) 
     (DOLLAR FALLS BELOW 143 YEN IN TOKYO)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 10)
     (The dollar fell below 143 yen in hectic early Tokyo trading despite aggressive Bank of Japan intervention *comma* dealers said *period* After opening at a Tokyo low of 143 *period* 75 yen *comma* the dollar fell as low as 142 *period* 90 yen on heavy selling led by securities firms and institutional investors *comma* they said *period* REUTER))

(0382 (petro) 
     (ECUADOR CRUDE OIL OUTPUT TO RESUME NEXT MONTH)
     (QUITO *comma* April 9)
     (Ecuador is due to resume limited crude oil output on May 8 when a new 43 km pipeline to neighbouring Colombia should be finished *comma* an energy ministry spokesman said *period* Oil output was halted on March 5 by an earthquake which damaged 50 km of the main pipeline linking jungle oilfields at Lago Agrio to the Ecuadorean port of Balao on the Pacific *period* About 13 km of the new link *comma* capable of carrying some 50 *comma* 000 barrels per day *lparen* bpd *rparen* *comma* has been built *comma* he said *period* Ecuador pumped 245 *comma* 000 to 250 *comma* 000 bpd before the earthquake *period* The new link will connect Lago Agrio to Puerto Colon in Colombia *comma* the starting point of Columbia *apostrophe* s pipeline to the Pacific ocean port of Temuco *period* The government estimates it will take about four more months to repair the Lago Agrio to Balao pipeline and return output to normal levels *comma* the spokesman said *period* REUTER))

(0383 (organic) 
     (THAI RICE EXPORTS FALL IN WEEK TO APRIL 7)
     (BANGKOK *comma* April 10)
     (Thailand exported 56 *comma* 652 tonnes of rice in the week ended April 7 *comma* down from 75 *comma* 160 tonnes the previous week *comma* the Commerce Ministry said *period* It said the government and private exporters shipped 41 *comma* 607 and 15 *comma* 045 tonnes respectively *period* Private exporters concluded advance weekly sales for 48 *comma* 062 tonnes against 22 *comma* 086 tonnes the previous week *period* Thailand exported 1 *period* 29 mln tonnes of rice so far in 1987 *comma* down from 1 *period* 39 mln tonnes a year ago *period* It has commitments to export a further 353 *comma* 045 tonnes this year *period* REUTER))

(0384 (organic) 
     (JAPAN SEES MARGINAL RISE IN EDIBLE OIL DEMAND)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 10)
     (The Agriculture Ministry estimates Japan *apostrophe* s edible oil demand will rise 1 *period* 5 pct in calendar 1987 to 1 *period* 68 mln tonnes from 1 *period* 65 mln in 1986 *period* Domestic consumption will rise to 1 *period* 66 mln tonnes in 1987 from 1 *period* 64 mln in 1986 *comma* while imports will rise to 77 *comma* 000 tonnes from 70 *comma* 000 and exports will be unchanged at 14 *comma* 000 *period* Edible oil supplies will total 1 *period* 75 mln tonnes in 1987 against 1 *period* 73 mln last year *comma* including domestic output of 1 *period* 60 mln against 1 *period* 55 mln *period* Domestic supplies will comprise 725 *comma* 000 of soybean oil *lparen* 706 *comma* 000 in 1986 *rparen* *comma* 638 *comma* 000 of rapeseed oil *lparen* 609 *comma* 000 *rparen* and 235 *comma* 000 of other origin oils *lparen* 231 *comma* 000 *rparen* *period* REUTER))

(0385 (financial) 
     (INTEREST RATE DIFFERENTIALS TOO SMALL *comma*  BANKER SAYS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (Swiss National Bank President Pierre Languetin said a wider interest rate differential between the dollar and stronger currencies was needed to brake the dollar *apostrophe* s fall *period* At a news conference *comma* he said Japan and West Germany could try to stimulate their economies further by expanding money supply *comma* but he added *quote* I *apostrophe* m not so sure it would be desirable if monetary policy became more expansive *period* *quote* But what would be useful is a greater differential in interest rates *comma* *quote* he said *period* REUTER))

(0386 (metal) 
     (GORDEX MINERALS LOCATES GOLD DEPOSITS)
     (SAINT JOHN *comma* New Brunswick *comma* April 9)
     (said geologists located more than one mln tons of gold *dash* bearing deposits *comma* 0 *period* 057 ounces per ton *comma* at Cape Spencer *period* The company said it plans to invest 2 *period* 5 mln Canadian dlrs to expand on *dash* site treatment facilities to process 100 *comma* 000 tons of gold *dash* bearing deposits this year and 200 *comma* 000 tons in 1988 *period* Prior to the completion of the recent exploration program *comma* Gordex estimated the Cape Spencer deposit had 200 *comma* 000 tons *period* Gordex said the expansion of the Cape Spencer facilities is intented to enable it to operate 24 hours a day throughout the year *period* Reuter))

(0387 (organic) 
     (U *period* S *period*  CONGRESSMAN INTRODUCES REAGAN SUGAR BILL)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (Rep *period* John Porter *comma* R *dash* Ill *period* *comma* introduced in the House of Representatives legislation proposed by the Reagan administration to slash the U *period* S *period* sugar price support *comma* a spokesman for Porter said *period* The spokesman said the bill was introduced without any changes from the administration *apostrophe* s proposal sent to Congress last month *period* That plan calls for a cut in the sugar loan rate to 12 cents per pound from 18 cents now *period* Sugar growers would be compensated for the price cut with targeted direct payments *comma* to be gradually phased *dash* out through 1990 *period* The payments to growers would cost an estimated 1 *period* 1 billion dlrs *period* Representatives of sugar growers have rejected the proposal *comma* saying it would ruin the domestic sugar industry *period* Reuter))

(0388 (metal) 
     (GORDEX MINERALS LOCATES CANADA GOLD DEPOSITS)
     (SAINT JOHN *comma* New Brunswick *comma* April 9)
     (Gordex Mineral Ltd said geologists located more than one mln short tons of gold *dash* bearing deposits *comma* 0 *period* 057 ounces per ton *comma* at Cape Spencer *period* The company said it plans to invest 2 *period* 5 mln Canadian dlrs to expand on *dash* site treatment facilities to process 100 *comma* 000 tons of gold *dash* bearing deposits this year and 200 *comma* 000 tons in 1988 *period* Prior to the completion of the recent exploration program *comma* Gordex estimated the Cape Spencer deposit had 200 *comma* 000 tons *period* Gordex said the expansion of the Cape Spencer facilities is intended to enable operation 24 hours a day throughout the year *period* Reuter))

(0389 (financial) 
     (BERMUDA SEEKS 40 MLN DLR REVOLVING CREDIT)
     (LONDON *comma* April 9)
     (The Government of Bermuda is seeking a 40 mln dlr *comma* seven year revolving credit *comma* which will be the only credit outstanding in its own name *comma* N *period* M *period* Rothschild and Sons Ltd said as arranger and agent *period* The credit will pay a margin of 20 basis points over U *period* S *period* Dollar London Interbank Offered Rates *lparen* LIBOR *rparen* and will incorporate a tender panel for U *period* S *period* Dlr advances *period* There is a 10 basis point annual facility fee in years one to four *comma* rising to 12 *dash* 1 *slash* 2 points thereafter *period* A 7 *dash* 1 *slash* 2 basis point participation fee is payable on the transaction *comma* which started syndication this week *period* Reuter))

(0390 (metal) 
     (MAGMA RAISES COPPER PRICE 0 *period* 25 CT TO 65 *period* 75 CTS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 9)
     (Magma Copper Co *comma* a subsidiary of Newmont Mining Corp *comma* said it is raising its copper cathode price by 0 *period* 25 cent to 65 *period* 75 cents a lb *comma* effective immediately *period* Reuter))

(0391 (organic) 
     (EGYPT CANCELS WHEAT TENDER)
     (PARIS *comma* April 9)
     (Egypt has cancelled its April 2 tender for 200 *comma* 000 tonnes of any origin wheat for April 15 *dash* 30 shipment *comma* trade and Egyptian official sources said *period* Trade sources said the cancellation followed an offer by an Egyptian company *comma* Islamic Corp *comma* at 85 *period* 80 dlrs *slash* tonne cost and freight *comma* undercutting other traders *apostrophe* offers of between 93 *period* 90 and 94 *period* 49 dlrs *slash* tonne *period* An Egyptian trade official in Paris confirmed cancellation of the tender following the Islamic Corp offer *comma* which he said the government had refused for legal reasons *period* The official denied trade reports that the government might have substituted a private deal with Islamic Corp for the original tender *period* Reuter))

(0392 (organic) 
     (USSR ADDS U *period* S *period*  CORN TO COMMITMENTS *dash* USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (The Soviet Union has added 175 *comma* 600 tonnes of U *period* S *period* corn to its previous commitments for delivery in the fourth year of the U *period* S *period* *dash* USSR Grain Supply Agreement *comma* which began October 1 *comma* 1986 *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* According to the department *apostrophe* s Export Sales Report *comma* covering transactions in the week ended April 2 *comma* corn transactions consisted of 140 *comma* 600 tonnes of new sales and changes in destinations for 35 *comma* 000 tonnes *period* Total corn commitments to the USSR for delivery in the fourth agreement year amount to 2 *comma* 825 *comma* 600 tonnes *period* The Soviets have not purchased wheat or soybeans in the fourth year of the agreement *period* Reuter))

(0393 (organic) 
     (USDA DETAILS FREE GRAIN STOCKS UNDER LOAN)
     (Washington *comma* April 9)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department gave projected carryover free stocks of feedgrains *comma* corn and wheat under loans *comma* with comparisons *comma* as follows *comma* in mln bushels *comma* except feedgrains *comma* which is in mln tonnes *dash* *dash* 1986 *slash* 87 1985 *slash* 86 04 *slash* 09 *slash* 87 03 *slash* 09 *slash* 87 04 *slash* 09 *slash* 87 03 *slash* 09 *slash* 87 Under Regular Nine Month Loan *dash* *dash* WHEAT 225 300 678 678 FEEDGRAINS 52 *period* 1 68 *period* 1 75 *period* 7 75 *period* 7 CORN 1 *comma* 800 2 *comma* 400 2 *comma* 589 2 *comma* 589 Special Producer Storage Loan Program *dash* *dash* WHEAT 165 150 163 163 FEEDGRAINS 7 *period* 0 6 *period* 7 5 *period* 3 5 *period* 3 CORN 200 200 147 147 Reuter))

(0394 (organic) 
     (USDA FORECASTS BRAZIL *slash* ARGENTINE SOYBEAN CROPS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department forecast Brazil *apostrophe* s 1986 *slash* 87 soybean crop at 17 *period* 00 mln tonnes *comma* vs 17 *period* 00 estimated last month *period* It put the 1985 *slash* 86 crop at 13 *period* 90 mln tonnes *comma* vs 13 *period* 70 mln last month *period* The department forecast Argentina *apostrophe* s 1986 *slash* 87 soybean crop at 7 *period* 70 mln tonnes *comma* vs 7 *period* 70 mln last month *period* It projected the 1985 *slash* 86 crop at 7 *period* 30 mln tonnes *comma* vs 7 *period* 30 mln last month *period* Brazil *apostrophe* s 1986 *slash* 87 soybean exports were forecast at 2 *period* 50 mln tonnes *comma* vs 2 *period* 50 mln tonnes estimated last month *period* USDA projected 1985 *slash* 86 exports at 1 *period* 20 mln tonnes *comma* vs 1 *period* 20 mln last month *period* Reuter))

(0395 (organic) 
     (USDA ESTIMATES ARGENTINE COARSE GRAIN *comma*  WHEAT)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department forecast Argentina *apostrophe* s 1986 *slash* 87 coarse grain crop at 13 *period* 99 mln tonnes *comma* vs 15 *period* 44 mln tonnes last month *period* It estimated the 1985 *slash* 86 crop at 17 *period* 06 mln tonnes *comma* vs 17 *period* 14 mln last month *period* USDA forecast Argentina *apostrophe* s 1986 *slash* 87 wheat crop at 9 *period* 00 mln tonnes *comma* vs 9 *period* 00 mln tonnes last month *comma* while the 1985 *slash* 86 crop was projected at 8 *period* 50 mln tonnes *comma* vs 8 *period* 50 mln last month *period* USDA forecast Argentine 1986 *slash* 87 coarse grain exports at 6 *period* 60 mln tonnes *comma* vs 7 *period* 73 mln tonnes last month *comma* and projected 1985 *slash* 86 exports at 9 *period* 43 mln tonnes *comma* vs 9 *period* 58 mln last month *period* Reuter))

(0396 (organic) 
     (USDA ESTIMATES AUSTRALIA WHEAT CROP)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department forecast Australia *apostrophe* s 1986 *slash* 87 wheat crop at 16 *period* 70 mln tonnes *comma* vs 17 *period* 30 mln tonnes last month *period* It estimated 1985 *slash* 86 output at 16 *period* 13 mln tonnes *comma* vs 16 *period* 13 mln last month *period* Australian wheat exports in 1986 *slash* 87 are forecast at 14 *period* 50 mln tonnes *comma* vs 14 *period* 50 mln tonnes last month *comma* while exports in 1985 *slash* 86 are estimated at 15 *period* 96 mln tonnes *comma* vs 15 *period* 96 mln last month *period* Reuter))

(0397 (organic) 
     (USDA ESTIMATES CHINA WHEAT)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department projected China *apostrophe* s 1986 *slash* 87 wheat crop at 90 *period* 30 mln tonnes *comma* vs 88 *period* 50 mln tonnes last month *period* It estimated the 1985 *slash* 86 crop at 85 *period* 81 mln tonnes *comma* vs 85 *period* 81 mln last month *period* USDA projected China *apostrophe* s 1986 *slash* 87 wheat imports at 7 *period* 00 mln tonnes *comma* vs 7 *period* 00 mln tonnes last month *comma* and estimated 1985 *slash* 86 imports at 6 *period* 60 mln tonnes *comma* vs 6 *period* 60 mln last month *period* Reuter))

(0398 (organic) 
     (USDA ESTIMATES CANADIAN CROPS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department estimated Canada *apostrophe* s 1986 *slash* 87 wheat crop at 31 *period* 85 mln tonnes *comma* vs 31 *period* 85 mln tonnes last month *period* It estimated 1985 *slash* 86 output at 24 *period* 25 mln tonnes *comma* vs 24 *period* 25 mln last month *period* Canadian 1986 *slash* 87 coarse grain production is projected at 27 *period* 62 mln tonnes *comma* vs 27 *period* 62 mln tonnes last month *period* Production in 1985 *slash* 86 is estimated at 24 *period* 95 mln tonnes *comma* vs 24 *period* 95 mln last month *period* Canadian wheat exports in 1986 *slash* 87 are forecast at 19 *period* 00 mln tonnes *comma* vs 19 *period* 00 mln tonnes last month *period* Exports in 1985 *slash* 86 are estimated at 17 *period* 72 mln tonnes *comma* vs 17 *period* 71 mln last month *period* Reuter))

(0399 (organic) 
     (USDA ESTIMATES EUROPEAN COMMUNITY CROPS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department forecast the European Community *apostrophe* s 1986 *slash* 87 wheat crop at 71 *period* 60 mln tonnes *comma* vs 71 *period* 50 mln tonnes last month *period* It estimated 1985 *slash* 86 output at 71 *period* 70 mln tonnes *comma* vs 71 *period* 71 mln last month *period* E *period* C *period* 1986 *slash* 87 coarse grain production is projected at 81 *period* 22 mln tonnes *comma* vs 81 *period* 19 mln tonnes last month *period* The 1985 *slash* 86 crop is estimated at 88 *period* 21 mln tonnes *comma* vs 88 *period* 28 mln last month *period* E *period* C *period* wheat exports in 1986 *slash* 87 are forecast at 28 *period* 22 mln tonnes *comma* vs 28 *period* 31 mln tonnes last month *period* Exports in 1985 *slash* 86 are estimated at 27 *period* 77 mln tonnes *comma* vs 27 *period* 62 last month *period* Reuter))

(0400 (organic) 
     (USDA ESTIMATES SOUTH AFRICA CORN CROP *comma*  EXPORTS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department forecast South Africa *apostrophe* s 1986 *slash* 87 corn crop at 8 *period* 50 mln tonnes *comma* vs 9 *period* 50 mln tonnes last month *period* It estimated the 1985 *slash* 86 crop at 8 *period* 08 mln *comma* vs 8 *period* 08 mln last month *period* USDA forecast South African 1986 *slash* 87 corn exports at 2 *period* 10 mln tonnes *comma* vs 3 *period* 00 mln tonnes last month *comma* and 1985 *slash* 86 exports at 2 *period* 75 mln tonnes *comma* vs 2 *period* 75 mln tonnes last month *period* Reuter))

(0401 (organic) 
     (SEASONAL EXPORTS REPORTED BY U *period* S *period*  EXPORTERS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (Exports of the following commodities between start of current seasons and April 2 *comma* with comparisons *comma* as reported to USDA by exporters *comma* in thousand tonnes *comma* unless noted *dash* *dash* 4 *slash* 2 *slash* 87 Prev Wk 4 *slash* 3 *slash* 86 Wheat 21 *comma* 044 *period* 6 20 *comma* 398 *period* 3 19 *comma* 725 *period* 8 Soybeans 14 *comma* 334 *period* 2 14 *comma* 063 *period* 5 14 *comma* 698 *period* 4 Corn 20 *comma* 296 *period* 0 19 *comma* 194 *period* 6 25 *comma* 182 *period* 6 *dash* x Sorghum 3 *comma* 222 *period* 5 3 *comma* 149 *period* 7 3 *comma* 168 *period* 9 *dash* x Soybean Oil 138 *period* 4 135 *period* 8 179 *period* 9 Soybean Meal 4 *comma* 098 *period* 0 3 *comma* 880 *period* 6 3 *comma* 141 *period* 3 Cotton 4 *comma* 333 *period* 1 4 *comma* 204 *period* 7 1 *comma* 510 *period* 4 X *dash* 2 *comma* 059 *comma* 300 tonnes of corn and 763 *comma* 800 tonnes of sorghum added to reflect change in marketing year to Sept *dash* Aug *period* Reuter))

(0402 (financial) 
     (BANK OF FRANCE TO HOLD MONEY MARKET TENDER TODAY)
     (PARIS *comma* April 9)
     (The Bank of France said it has invited offers of first category paper today for a money market intervention tender *period* Money market operators were divided over whether the Bank of France will use to occasion to cut its intervention rate *comma* which has stood at 7 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct since March 9 *period* Some thought a price cut unlikely while others said there was room for a further 1 *slash* 4 point cut by the bank *period* REUTER))

(0403 (financial) 
     (SOVIET TRADE DEFICIT WITH WEST SOARS IN 1986)
     (MOSCOW *comma* April 9)
     (The Soviet trade deficit with the West almost quadrupled last year *comma* reaching 2 *period* 72 billion roubles compared with 713 mln in 1985 *comma* official figures showed *period* Statistics published by the monthly journal Foreign Trade showed Soviet trade turnover for 1986 fell to 130 *period* 9 billion roubles from 142 *period* 1 billion the previous year *comma* a drop of 7 *period* 8 pct *period* Moscow *apostrophe* s trade surplus with East Bloc countries continued to grow in 1986 *period* Western analysts attributed the deficit rise with the West to the world oil price slump *comma* which hit Moscow *apostrophe* s main export and cut hard currency earnings needed for purchases in the West *period* REUTER))

(0404 (organic) 
     (CHINA *quote* S WHEAT CROP THREATENED BY PESTS *comma*  DISEASE)
     (PEKING *comma* April 9)
     (Pests and disease *comma* which destroyed 1 *period* 1 mln tonnes of wheat in China in 1986 *comma* are threatening crops on 11 *period* 64 mln hectares this year *comma* the China Daily said *period* About 14 *period* 54 mln hectares of wheat were affected in 1986 *period* The paper said abnormal weather conditions had encouraged the spread of wheat midges in 2 *period* 47 mln hectares in Shanxi *comma* Henan *comma* Sichuan *comma* Anhui *comma* Hebei and Jiangsu *period* In Henan *comma* Shandong and Hebei wheat aphids are affecting 4 *period* 67 mln hectares *comma* wheat red mite 2 *period* 8 mln hectares and wheat powdery mildew 1 *period* 7 mln hectares *period* REUTER))

(0405 (financial) 
     (EQUITICORP H *period* K *period*  UNIT TO RAISE 30 MLN U *period* S *period*  DLRS)
     (HONG KONG *comma* April 9)
     (is planning a 30 mln U *period* S *period* Dlr transferrable loan facility to raise working capital *comma* lead managers and *comma* said *period* The two year loan with bullet repayment carries interest at 5 *slash* 8 of a percentage point over the London interbank offered rate *period* It will be guaranteed by parent company of New Zealand *comma* the managers said *period* Syndication is proceeding and managers and participants are being invited to participate at four levels with management fees ranging from 15 to 30 basis points *comma* it said *period* REUTER))

(0406 (organic) 
     (SHANGHAI TYRE FACTORY TO RAISE 30 MLN U *period* S *period*  DLRS)
     (HONG KONG *comma* April 9)
     (Ta Chung Hua Rubber Factory of Shanghai will raise a 30 to 35 mln U *period* S *period* Dlr loan to expand and modernise its plant *comma* arranger CCIC Finance Ltd said *period* The loan *comma* to be lead managed by the Bank of China *comma* is expected to mature in eight to nine years *comma* but terms have not been finalized *period* The money will be used to import manufacturing equipment including technology transfer for the production of truck radial tyres *period* Part of the output will be exported *period* The expansion program is expected to cost a total 54 mln dlrs *period* The shortfall will be financed domestically *period* REUTER))

(0407 (metal) 
     (BELGIUM TO ISSUE GOLD WARRANTS *comma*  SOURCES SAY)
     (ZURICH *comma* April 9)
     (Belgium plans to issue Swiss franc warrants to buy gold *comma* with Credit Suisse as lead manager *comma* market sources said *period* No confirmation or further details were immediately available *period* REUTER))

(0408 (organic) 
     (CARGILL CONFIRMS WHITE SUGAR SALE TO INDIA)
     (LONDON *comma* April 9)
     (London *dash* based trader Cargill *lparen* U *period* K *period* *rparen* Ltd confirmed it sold one cargo of white sugar to India for shipment April 15 *slash* May 15 at yesterday *apostrophe* s tender *period* Price details were not immediately available but some traders suggested business had been done around 220 dlrs a tonne cif *period* India tendered for one or two cargoes of white sugar *period* There was no specific requirement on shipping period *period* REUTER))

(0409 (petro) 
     (MALAYSIA SEEKS 42 BILLION YEN PIPELINE LOAN)
     (KUALA LUMPUR *comma* March 9)
     (Malaysia has asked Japan for a 42 billion yen 25 *dash* year loan to finance the construction of gas pipelines from eastern Trengganu to southern Johor *comma* the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund *lparen* OECF *rparen* said *period* OECF *apostrophe* s chief representative *comma* Takashi Matsuya *comma* told reporters the Japanese Government is appraising the loan *period* Another OECF official told Reuters Japan is likely to approve the loan because *quote* it is technically and economically viable *period* *quote* If approved *comma* the loan would carry a coupon rate of four pct *comma* a grace period of seven years *comma* Matsuya said *period* It would be disbursed over three years *comma* he added *period* The pipeline contruction is the second phase of the Peninsular Gas Utilisation Project by Petronas *comma* Malaysia *apostrophe* s national oil company *period* The first phase was the supply of gas to households in and around the eastern oil town of Kertih *period* REUTER))

(0410 (metal) 
     (JOHNSON MATTHEY *quote* S PLATINUM GROUP PRICES)
     (LONDON *comma* APRIL 9)
     (Johnson Matthey today issued the following Platinum group base prices *lparen* unfabricated *rparen* *comma* all U *period* S *period* Dlrs per troy ounce *period* Previous prices in parentheses *period* PLATINUM *dash* 562 *lparen* 567 *rparen* PALLADIUM *dash* 130 *lparen* 130 *rparen* IRIDIUM *dash* 400 *lparen* 400 *rparen* RHODIUM 1 *comma* 230 *lparen* 1 *comma* 230 *rparen* RUTHENIUM *dash* 80 *lparen* 80 *rparen*))

(0411 (financial) 
     (CANADA FEBRUARY TRADE SURPLUS 1 *period* 2 BILLION DLRS)
     (OTTAWA *comma* April 9)
     (Canada had a trade surplus of 1 *period* 25 billion dlrs in February compared with an upward revised 623 mln dlrs surplus in January *comma* Statistics Canada said *period* The January surplus originally was reported at 533 mln dlrs *period* The February surplus last year was 189 mln dlrs *period* February exports *comma* seasonally adjusted *comma* were 10 *period* 44 billion dlrs against 9 *period* 85 billion in January and 10 *period* 05 billion in February *comma* 1986 *period* February imports were 9 *period* 19 billion dlrs against 9 *period* 23 billion in January and 9 *period* 86 billion in February *comma* 1986 *period* Reuter))

(0412 (financial) 
     (BANK OF JAPAN BUYS DOLLARS IN TOKYO *comma*  DEALERS SAY)
     (TOKYO *comma* April 9)
     (The Bank of Japan bought a modest amount of dollars at around 145 *period* 10 yen just after the market here opened *comma* dealers said *period* Just before the opening *comma* the dollar dropped swiftly as speculators concluded the Group of Seven *lparen* G *dash* 7 *rparen* comminuique issued in Washington contained nothing basically new *comma* they said *period* It fell about a half yen *comma* to around 145 *period* The G *dash* 7 reaffirmed that their currencies around current levels reflect economic fundamentals *period* One dealer said the Bank of Japan probably intervened in Australia before the opening here *comma* but could not confirm this *period* REUTER))

(0413 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET GETS 103 MLN STG HELP)
     (LONDON *comma* April 9)
     (The Bank of England said it operated in the money market this morning *comma* buying 103 mln stg bank bills *period* The central bank bought in band one 60 mln stg at 9 *dash* 7 *slash* 8 *comma* in band two eight mln at 9 *dash* 13 *slash* 16 *comma* in band three 26 mln at 9 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 and in band four nine mln stg at 9 *dash* 11 *slash* 16 pct *period* This compares with the bank *apostrophe* s forecast of a 400 mln stg shortfall today *period* REUTER))

(0414 (organic) 
     (THAILAND TO RENEW LONG TERM SUGAR CONTRACTS -TRADE)
     (LONDON *comma* April 9)
     (Thailand is to negotiate tomorrow with selected trade houses for renewal of long term raw sugar sales contracts *comma* to cover the next five years at a rate of 60 *comma* 000 tonnes annually *comma* traders said *period* They also reported vague talk Algeria may be seeking 50 *comma* 000 tonnes of raws tomorrow but details are unclear *period* REUTER))

(0415 (financial) 
     (SWISS TO LAUNCH NEW SERIES OF MONEY MARKET PAPER)
     (ZURICH *comma* April 9)
     (The Swiss Federal Government will launch a new series of three month money market certificates totalling around 150 mln Swiss francs *comma* the National Bank said *period* Subscriptions close April 14 and payment date is April 16 *period* The last series of three month paper issued in March raised 147 *period* 3 mln francs at an issue price of 99 *period* 142 pct *comma* giving an average annual yield of 3 *period* 501 pct *period* REUTER))

(0416 (financial) 
     (EUROPEAN MARKETS REACT QUIETLY TO G-7 COMMUNIQUE)
     (ZURICH *comma* April 9)
     (European currency markets reacted quietly to the G *dash* 7 communique *comma* with comments from bankers and dealers ranging from disappointment that it was not more concrete to surprise that the markets should have expected so much *period* The dollar opened lower against virtually all currencies and traded in a narrow range after the communique *comma* which reaffirmed support for the Paris accord on currency stabilisation but contained no moves to strengthen it *period* Frankfurt and Zurich dealers saw the dollar staying broadly entrenched in its current trading range *period* REUTER))

(0417 (organic) 
     (WEST GERMAN BEET PLANTINGS DELAYED THREE WEEKS)
     (HAMBURG *comma* April 9)
     (Unseasonal cold weather has delayed sugar beet plantings in West Germany by up to three weeks *comma* the agriculture ministry said *period* A ministry spokesman said in some central areas *comma* especially in the Rhineland *comma* farmers have taken advantage of warmer weather and started plantings in the past two days *period* West German planting intentions this year are put at 381 *comma* 000 hectares *comma* down from 390 *comma* 500 ha last year *comma* he said *comma* adding that the 1980 *slash* 1985 average was 405 *comma* 000 ha *period* REUTER))

(0418 (metal) 
     (BELGIUM LAUNCHES BONDS WITH GOLD WARRANTS)
     (ZURICH *comma* April 9)
     (The Kingdom of Belgium is launching 100 mln Swiss francs of seven year notes with warrants attached to buy gold *comma* lead mananger Credit Suisse said *period* The notes themselves have a 3 *dash* 3 *slash* 8 pct coupon and are priced at par *period* Payment is due April 30 *comma* 1987 and final maturity April 30 *comma* 1994 *period* Each 50 *comma* 000 franc note carries 15 warrants *period* Two warrants are required to allow the holder to buy 100 grammes of gold at a price of 2 *comma* 450 francs *comma* during the entire life of the bond *period* The latest gold price in Zurich was 2 *comma* 045 *slash* 2 *comma* 070 francs per 100 grammes *period* REUTER))

(0419 (metal) 
     (BELGIUM LAUNCHES BONDS WITH GOLD WARRANTS)
     (ZURICH *comma* April 9)
     (The Kingdom of Belgium is launching 100 mln Swiss francs of seven year notes with warrants attached to buy gold *comma* lead manager Credit Suisse said *period* The notes themselves have a 3 *dash* 3 *slash* 8 pct coupon and are priced at par *period* Payment is due April 30 *comma* 1987 *comma* and final maturity April 30 *comma* 1994 *period* Each 50 *comma* 000 franc note carries 15 warrants *period* Two warrants are required to allow the holder to buy 100 grammes of gold at a price of 2 *comma* 450 francs *comma* during the entire life of the bond *period* The latest gold price in Zurich was 2 *comma* 045 *slash* 2 *comma* 070 francs per 100 grammes *period* Reuter))

(0420 (organic) 
     (RPT *dash* ARGENTINE GRAIN *slash* OILSEED EXPORT PRICES ADJUSTED)
     (BUENOS AIRES *comma* April 8)
     (The Argentine Grain Board adjusted minimum export prices of grain and oilseed products in dlrs per tonne FOB *comma* previous in brackets *comma* as follows *colon*  Sorghum 64 *lparen* 63 *rparen* *comma* sunflowerseed cake and expellers 103 *lparen* 102 *rparen* *comma* pellets 101 *lparen* 100 *rparen* *comma* meal 99 *lparen* 98 *rparen* *comma* linseed oil 274 *lparen* 264 *rparen* *comma* groundnutseed oil 450 *lparen* 445 *rparen* *comma* soybean oil 300 *lparen* 290 *rparen* *comma* rapeseed oil 290 *lparen* 280 *rparen* *period* Sunflowerseed oil for shipment through May 323 *lparen* 313 *rparen* and june onwards 330 *lparen* 320 *rparen* *period* The board also adjusted export prices at which export taxes are levied in dlrs per tonne FOB *comma* previous in brackets *comma* as follows *colon*  Bran pollard wheat 40 *lparen* 42 *rparen* *comma* pellets 42 *lparen* 44 *rparen* *period* REUTER))

(0421 (organic) 
     (ARGENTINE CATTLE MARKET REPORT)
     (BUENOS AIRES *comma* APR 9)
     (ABOUT 3 *comma* 314 HEAD OF CATTLE WERE AUCTIONED IN LINIERS CATTLE MARKET *comma* AGAINST 13 *comma* 952 ON WEDNESDAY AND 9 *comma* 217 LAST THURSDAY *comma* TRADE SOURCES SAID *period* MAXIMUN PRICES *comma* IN AUSTRALES PER KILO *comma* WITH DOLLAR EQUIVALENT IN BRACKETS *comma* INCLUDED *colon*  TODAY WEDNESDAY STEERS OVER 480 KILOS 1 *period* 02 *lparen* 0 *period* 658 *rparen* 1 *period* 015 *lparen* 0 *period* 654 *rparen* STEERS 460 TO 480 KILOS 1 *period* 05 *lparen* 0 *period* 677 *rparen* 1 *period* 032 *lparen* 0 *period* 665 *rparen* COWS FOR CANNING 0 *period* 56 *lparen* 0 *period* 361 *rparen* 0 *period* 56 *lparen* 0 *period* 361 *rparen* REUTER))

(0422 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET DEFICIT REVISED DOWNWARD)
     (LONDON *comma* April 9)
     (The Bank of England said it has revised its estimate of today *apostrophe* s shortfall to 350 mln stg from 400 mln *comma* before taking account of 103 mln stg morning assistance *period* REUTER))

(0423 (petro) 
     (U *period* S *period*  ENERGY FUTURES CALLED UNCHANGED TO LOWER)
     (NEW YORK *comma* APRIL 9)
     (Traders expect U *period* S *period* energy futures will open unchanged to slightly lower this morning with support near yesterday *apostrophe* s lows *period* Crude futures are called unchanged to five cts weaker tracking unchanged domestic crudes and North Sea Brent crude *comma* which traded at 18 *period* 01 dlrs a barrel today *comma* about ten cts below yesterday *apostrophe* s New York close *period* Traders said the supply squeeze in 15 *dash* day forward April Brent appears to have ended *period* Product futures *comma* which fell sharply yesterday *comma* are due to open unchanged to 0 *period* 25 cent lower *comma* traders said *period* Traders expect some followthrough selling in products but said gasoil futures in London will probably lend some support since they are trading as expected *period* May gasoil futures were off 1 *period* 50 dlrs a tonne this morning while June was down 1 *period* 25 dlrs in thin conditions *period* Reuter))

(0424 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET DEFICIT REMOVED)
     (LONDON *comma* April 9)
     (The Bank of England said it has satisfied its revised estimate of today *apostrophe* s shortfall in the money market *comma* providing 261 mln stg assistance in afternoon operations *period* The Bank bought in band one *comma* 60 mln stg bank bills at 9 *dash* 7 *slash* 8 pct and in band two 200 mln stg bank bills and one mln stg treasury bills at 9 *dash* 13 *slash* 16 pct *period* This brings the total help so far today to 364 mln stg *comma* compared with its deficit estimate of 350 mln stg *period* REUTER))

(0425 (financial) 
     (LEBANESE POUND FALLS SHARPLY AGAINST DOLLAR)
     (BEIRUT *comma* April 9)
     (The Lebanese Pound fell sharply against the U *period* S *period* Dollar again today with dealers attributing the decline to continued political uncertainty *period* The pound closed at 118 *period* 25 *slash* 118 *period* 75 against the dollar compared to yesterday *apostrophe* s close of 115 *period* 60 *slash* 115 *period* 80 *period* *quote* Political deadlock is reflected in the pound *apostrophe* s position *period* There was more demand and less on offer in the market *comma* *quote* one dealer told Reuters *period* The pound *comma* which was at 18 to the dollar in January *comma* 1986 *comma* has lost more than 30 pct of its international value over the past three months *period* REUTER))

(0426 (organic) 
     (HOG AND CATTLE SLAUGHTER GUESSTIMATES)
     (CHICAGO *comma* April 9)
     (Chicago Mercantile Exchange floor traders and commission house representatives are guesstimating today *apostrophe* s hog slaughter at about 287 *comma* 000 to 295 *comma* 000 head versus 292 *comma* 000 week ago and 322 *comma* 000 a year ago *period* Cattle slaughter is guesstimated at about 124 *comma* 000 to 128 *comma* 000 head versus 129 *comma* 000 week ago and 134 *comma* 000 a year ago *period* Reuter))

(0427 (organic) 
     (BRAZILIAN SOY RAINFALL)
     (SAOPAULO *comma* APRIL 9)
     (THE FOLLOWING RAINFALL WAS RECORDED IN THE 24 HOURS UP TO *lparen* 1200 *rparen* GMT TODAY PARANA STATE *colon*  CASCAVEL NIL *comma* PONTA GROSSA NIL *comma* CAMPO MOURAO NIL *comma* LONDRINA NIL *comma* MARINGA NIL *period* RIO GRANDO DO SUL STATE *colon*  PASSO FUNDO NIL *comma* SANTA MARIA 7 *period* 0 MILLIMETRES *comma* CRUZ ALTA 8 *period* 5 MM *comma* SAO LUIZ GONZAGA 4 *period* 4 MM *period* REUTER))

(0428 (organic) 
     (BRAZILIAN COFFEE RAINFALL)
     (SAO PAULO *comma* APRIL 9)
     (THE FOLLOWING RAINFALL WAS RECORDED IN THE AREAS OVER THE PAST 24 HOURS PARANA STATE *colon*  UMUARAMA NIL *comma* PARANAVAI NIL *comma* LONDRINA NIL *comma* MARINGA NIL *period* SAO PAULO STATE PRESIDENTE PRUDENTE NIL *comma* VOTUPORANGA NIL *comma* FRANCA NIL *comma* CATANDUVA NIL *comma* SAO CARLOS NIL *comma* SAO SIMAO NIL *period* MINAS GERAIS STATE *colon*  GUAXUPE NIL *comma* TRES PONTAS NIL *period* REUTER))

(0429 (organic) 
     (EGYPT BUYS PL 480 WHEAT FLOUR *dash* U *period* S *period*  TRADERS)
     (KANSAS CITY *comma* April 9)
     (Egypt bought 125 *comma* 723 tonnes of U *period* S *period* wheat flour in its PL 480 tender yesterday *comma* trade sources said *period* The purchase included 51 *comma* 880 tonnes for May shipment and 73 *comma* 843 tonnes for June shipment *period* Price details were not available *period* Reuter))

(0430 (organic) 
     (YUGOSLAVIA TO TENDER FOR 100 *comma* 000 TONNES WHEAT)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (Yugoslavia will tender April 14 for 100 *comma* 000 tonnes of wheat *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department *apostrophe* s Counselor in Belgrade said in a field report *period* The report *comma* dated April 7 *comma* said the wheat must be from 1986 and 1987 harvest *comma* and imports of soft wheat from Europe and from other suppliers will not be considered *period* It said the imports will be used to rebuild the federal reserves and as a result will not be subject to import surcharges *period* Reuter))

(0431 (financial) 
     (KAPOK CORP CURES TECHNICAL DEFAULTS)
     (CLEARWATER *comma* Fla *period* *comma* April 9)
     (Kapok Corp said it has cured technical defaults on laons from Southeast Banking Corp and Murray Steinfeld and has negotiated extensions of both loans *period* The company also said it has arranged a one mln dlr loan secured by its Fort Lauderdale *comma* Fla *period* *comma* property from Republic Bank for Savings of Jackson *comma* Miss *period* *comma* and has sold its Peter Pan Restaurant in Urbana *comma* Md *period* *comma* for 1 *comma* 100 *comma* 000 dlrs *period* Reuter))

(0432 (financial) 
     (FED MAY ADD RESERVES TO BANKING SYSTEM)
     (NEW YORK *comma* April 9)
     (The Federal Reserve may intervene in the government securities market to supply temporary reserves indirectly via customer repurchase agreements *comma* economists said *period* They said that while the Fed faces no great urgency to add reserves at the start of the two *dash* week maintenance period today it would probably do so in order to offset a relatively high federal funds rate *period* Fed funds opened at 6 *dash* 3 *slash* 16 pct and remained there in early trading *period* Yesterday *comma* they averaged 6 *period* 45 pct *comma* after rising as high as seven pct at the close *period* Reuter))

(0433 (organic) 
     (FRENCH FREE MARKET CEREAL EXPORT BIDS DETAILED)
     (PARIS *comma* April 9)
     (French operators have requested licences to export 320 *comma* 000 tonnes of free market barley *comma* 225 *comma* 000 tonnes of maize *comma* 25 *comma* 000 tonnes of free market bread *dash* making wheat and 20 *comma* 000 tonnes of feed wheat at today *apostrophe* s EC tender *comma* trade sources said *period* For the barley *comma* rebates of between 138 and 141 *period* 25 European currency units *lparen* Ecus *rparen* per tonne were sought *comma* for maize they were between 129 *period* 65 and 139 Ecus *comma* for bread *dash* making wheat around 145 Ecus and for feed wheat around 142 *period* 45 Ecus *period* Barley rebates of up to 138 *period* 50 Ecus were requested for a total of 40 *comma* 000 tonnes and at 139 Ecus for 85 *comma* 000 tonnes *period* Rebates of up to 130 Ecus per tonne were requested for a total of 55 *comma* 000 tonnes maize and up to 131 Ecus for 105 *comma* 000 tonnes *comma* the sources said *period* Reuter))

(0434 (metal) 
     (SPOT TIN EASIER ON EUROPEAN FREE MARKET)
     (LONDON *comma* April 9)
     (Spot tin on the European free market was indicated in the easier range 4 *comma* 200 to 4 *comma* 230 stg per tonne *comma* for high grade metal in warehouse Rotterdam *comma* down 20 stg from yesterday *apostrophe* s afternoon kerb close *period* Stability in sterling versus the dollar continued to apply pressure to a market which is coming close to testing a psychological chart support base at 4 *comma* 200 stg *comma* traders said *period* Dealers said major consumers still need to cover their May and June requirements but are holding out for even lower offers *period* Reported high grade tin business in London was confined to end April metal at 4 *comma* 225 stg *period* Small *dash* scale spot business was reported by West German operators at 12 *period* 60 and 12 *period* 63 marks per kilo although the market was still being undercut by Chinese material *comma* which traded at one stage down to 12 *period* 54 marks per kilo *comma* traders said *period* REUTER))

(0435 (financial) 
     (LAWSON SEES NO CHANGE IN U *period* K *period*  MONETARY POLICY)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* April 9)
     (British Chancellor of the Exchequer Nigel Lawson said he saw no immediate implications for British monetary policy arising from the Group of Seven meeting yesterday *period* *quote* Exchange rate stability is in the U *period* K *period* *apostrophe* s interest *comma* *quote* he told journalists *period* Asked what it meant for U *period* K *period* monetary policy *comma* he said *comma* *quote* No *comma* I do not think there are any immediate implications *period* *quote* Reuter))

(0436 (organic) 
     (EASTERN DISTRIBUTIVE BEEF TRADE WEEKLY *dash* USDA)
     (North Brunswick *comma* NJ *comma* Apr 9)
     (Demand good for moderate supplies of most beef cuts *comma* However *comma* limited interest noted for tenderloins *slash* flank steaks *period* Yield grade 2 *dash* 3 beef cuts *comma* fabricated items *comma* vacuum packed *period* LBS CHOICE ROUND CUTS *dash* steady *slash* up 11 *period* 00 160 round *comma* part bnls 50 *dash* 85 few 137 161 round *comma* bnls 42 *dash* 80 few 147 161 diamond cut 49 *dash* 85 few 149 167 knuckle 8 *dash* 15 few 148 167a knuckle *comma* peeled 8 *dash* 15 few 163 168 top inside round 14 *dash* 26 165 *dash* 175 170 bottom gooseneck rnd 18 *dash* 33 131 *dash* 135 More))

(0437 (organic) 
     (BONUS WHEAT FLOUR FOR NORTH YEMEN -- USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* Feb 26)
     (The Commodity Credit Corporation *comma* CCC *comma* has accepted an export bonus offer to cover the sale of 37 *comma* 000 long tons of wheat flour to North Yemen *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* The wheat four is for shipment March *dash* May and the bonus awarded was 119 *period* 05 dlrs per tonnes and will be paid in the form of commodities from the CCC inventory *period* The bonus was awarded to the Pillsbury Company *period* The wheat flour purchases complete the Export Enhancement Program initiative announced in April *comma* 1986 *comma* it said *period* Reuter))

(0438 (metal) 
     (MAGMA LOWERS COPPER 0 *period* 75 CENT TO 66 CTS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* Feb 26)
     (Magma Copper Co *comma* a subsidiary of Newmont Mining Corp *comma* said it is cutting its copper cathode price by 0 *period* 75 cent to 66 cents a lb *comma* effective immediately *period* Reuter))

(0439 (organic) 
     (ICO PRODUCERS TO PRESENT NEW COFFEE PROPOSAL)
     (LONDON *comma* Feb 26)
     (International Coffee Organization *comma* ICO *comma* producing countries will present a proposal for reintroducing export quotas for 12 months from April 1 with a firm undertaking to try to negotiate up to September 30 any future quota distribution on a new basis *comma* ICO delegates said *period* Distribution from April 1 would be on an unchanged basis as in an earlier producer proposal *comma* which includes shortfall redistributions totalling 1 *period* 22 mln bags *comma* they said *period* Resumption of an ICO contact group meeting with consumers *comma* scheduled for this evening *comma* has been postponed until tomorrow *comma* delegates said *period* Reuter))

(0440 (organic) 
     (U *period* S *period*  SUGAR IMPORTS DOWN IN WEEK *dash* USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* Feb 26)
     (Sugar imports subject to the U *period* S *period* sugar import quota during the week ended January 9 *comma* the initial week of the 1987 sugar quota year *comma* totaled 5 *comma* 988 short tons versus 46 *comma* 254 tons the previous week *comma* the Agriculture Department said *period* The sugar import quota for the 1987 quota year *lparen* January *dash* December *rparen* has been set at 1 *comma* 001 *comma* 430 short tons compared with 1 *comma* 850 *comma* 000 tons in the 1986 quota year *comma* which was extended three months to December 31 *period* The department said the Customs Service has reported that weekly and cumulative imports are reported on an actual weight basis and when final polarizations are received *comma* cumulative import data are adjusted accordingly *period* Reuter))

(0441 (financial) 
     (N *period* Z *period*  OFFICIAL FOREIGN RESERVES FALL IN JANUARY)
     (WELLINGTON *comma* Feb 27)
     (New Zealand *apostrophe* s official foreign reserves fell to 7 *period* 15 billion N *period* Z *period* Dlrs in January from 7 *period* 20 billion dlrs in December and compared with 3 *period* 03 billion a year ago period *comma* the Reserve Bank said in its weekly statistical bulletin *period* Reuter))

(0442 (organic) 
     (CCC CREDITS FOR HONDURAS SWITCHED TO WHITE CORN)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* Feb 26)
     (The Commodity Credit Corporation *lparen* CCC *rparen* announced 1 *period* 5 mln dlrs in credit guarantees previously earmarked to cover sales of dry edible beans to Honduras have been switched to cover sales of white corn *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* The department said the action reduces coverage for sales of dry edible beans to 500 *comma* 000 dlrs and creates the new line of 1 *period* 5 mln dlrs for sales of white corn *period* All sales under the credit guarantee line must be registered and shipped by September 30 *comma* 1987 *comma* it said *period* Reuter))

(0443 (financial) 
     (ASSETS OF U *period* S *period*  MONEY FUNDS ROSE IN WEEK)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* Feb 26)
     (Assets of money market mutual funds increased 720 *period* 4 mln dlrs in the week ended yesterday to 236 *period* 90 billion dlrs *comma* the Investment Company Institute said *period* Assets of 91 institutional funds rose 356 mln dlrs to 66 *period* 19 billion dlrs *comma* 198 general purpose funds rose 212 *period* 5 mln dlrs to 62 *period* 94 billion dlrs and 92 broker *dash* dealer funds rose 151 *period* 9 mln dlrs to 107 *period* 77 billion dlrs *period* Reuter))

(0444 (organic) 
     (U *period* S *period*  WEEKLY SOYBEAN CRUSH 21 *comma* 782 *comma* 929 BUSHELS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* Feb 26)
     (Reporting members of the National Soybean Processors Association *lparen* NSPA *rparen* crushed 21 *comma* 782 *comma* 929 bushels of soybeans in the week ended Feb 25 compared with 22 *comma* 345 *comma* 718 bushels in the previous week and 16 *comma* 568 *comma* 000 in the year *dash* ago week *comma* the association said *period* It said total crushing capacity for members was 25 *comma* 873 *comma* 904 bushels vs 25 *comma* 873 *comma* 904 last week and 25 *comma* 459 *comma* 238 bushels last year *period* NSPA also said U *period* S *period* soybean meal exports in the week were 117 *comma* 866 tonnes vs 121 *comma* 168 tonnes a week ago and compared with 84 *comma* 250 tonnes in the year *dash* ago week *period* NSPA said the figures include only NSPA member firms *period* Reuter))

(0445 (organic) 
     (ICO EXPORTERS TO MODIFY NEW PROPOSAL)
     (LONDON *comma* Feb 26)
     (International Coffee Organization *lparen* ICO *rparen* exporters will modify their new proposal on quota resumption before presenting it to importers tomorrow *comma* ICO delegates said *period* The change *comma* which will be discussed tonight informally among producers *comma* follows talks after the formal producer session with the eight *dash* member producer splinter group and will affect the proposed quota distribution for 12 months from April one *comma* they said *period* The proposed share *dash* out would still include shortfall declarations *comma* they said *period* Reuter))

(0446 (financial) 
     (NEW YORK BUSINESS LOANS FALL 195 MLN DLRS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* Feb 26)
     (Commercial and industrial loans on the books of the 10 major New York banks *comma* excluding acceptances *comma* fell 195 mln dlrs to 65 *period* 06 billion in the week ended February 18 *comma* the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said *period* Including acceptances *comma* loans declined 114 mln dlrs to 65 *period* 89 billion *period* Commercial paper outstanding nationally dropped 375 mln dlrs to 336 *period* 63 billion *period* National business loan data are scheduled to be released on Friday *period* Reuter))

(0447 (financial) 
     (N *period* Y *period*  BANK DISCOUNT BORROWINGS 64 MLN DLRS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* Feb 26)
     (The eight major New York City banks had 64 mln dlrs in average borrowings from the Federal Reserve in the week to Wednesday February 25 *comma* a Fed spokesman said *period* The week marked the second half of the two *dash* week bank statement period that ended on Wednesday *period* The banks had no borrowings in the prior week *period* Commenting on the latest week *comma* a Fed spokesman said that all of the borrowing occurred yesterday and was done by fewer than half of the banks *period* National data on discount window borrowings are due to be released at 1630 EST *lparen* 2130 GMT *rparen* *period* Reuter))

(0448 (financial) 
     (N *period* Z *period*  TRADING BANK DEPOSIT GROWTH RISES SLIGHTLY)
     (WELLINGTON *comma* Feb 27)
     (New Zealand *apostrophe* s trading bank seasonally adjusted deposit growth rose 2 *period* 6 pct in January compared with a rise of 9 *period* 4 pct in December *comma* the Reserve Bank said *period* Year *dash* on *dash* year total deposits rose 30 *period* 6 pct compared with a 26 *period* 3 pct increase in the December year and 34 *period* 5 pct rise a year ago period *comma* it said in its weekly statistical release *period* Total deposits rose to 17 *period* 18 billion N *period* Z *period* Dlrs in January compared with 16 *period* 74 billion in December and 13 *period* 16 billion in January 1986 *period* Reuter))

(0449 (financial) 
     (U *period* S *period*  M-1 MONEY SUPPLY ROSE 2 *period* 1 BILLION DLRS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* Feb 26)
     (U *period* S *period* M *dash* 1 money supply rose 2 *period* 1 billion dlrs to a seasonally adjusted 736 *period* 7 billion dlrs in the February 16 week *comma* the Federal Reserve said *period* The previous week *apostrophe* s M *dash* 1 level was revised to 734 *period* 6 billion dlrs from 734 *period* 2 billion dlrs *comma* while the four *dash* week moving average of M *dash* 1 rose to 735 *period* 0 billion dlrs from 733 *period* 5 billion *period* Economists polled by Reuters said that M *dash* 1 should be anywhere from down four billion dlrs to up 2 *period* 3 billion dlrs *period* The average forecast called for a 300 mln dlr M *dash* 1 rise *period* Reuter))

(0450 (organic) 
     (CHINESE PORK OUTPUT SEEN LOWER -- USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* Feb 26)
     (High feed prices will cause the Chinese to reduce hog herd growth and pork production this year *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* In its World Production and Trade Report *comma* the department said hog numbers at the start of 1987 were estimated at 331 *period* 6 mln head *comma* up slightly from 1986 *comma* and 10 mln head above earlier projections for 1987 *period* Pork production in 1986 was up 4 *period* 2 pct to 17 *period* 25 mln tonnes *comma* slightly below earlier estimates *comma* it said *period* For 1987 *comma* production is projected to fall to 17 *period* 05 mln tonnes *period* Feed prices at the end of January were reported 35 to 40 pct above year *dash* ago levels *comma* the department said *period* Reuter))

(0451 (organic) 
     (U *period* S *period*  GRAIN CARLOADINGS FALL IN WEEK)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* Feb 26)
     (U *period* S *period* grain carloadings totaled 26 *comma* 108 cars in the week ended February 21 *comma* down 2 *period* 2 pct from the previous week but 22 *period* 8 pct above the corresponding week a year ago *comma* the Association of American Railroads reported *period* Grain mill product loadings in the week totalled 11 *comma* 382 cars *comma* down 1 *period* 8 pct from the previous week but 7 *period* 6 pct above the same week a year earlier *comma* the association said *period* Reuter))

(0452 (petro) 
     (DIAMOND SHAMROCK (DIA) CUTS CRUDE PRICES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* FEB 26)
     (Diamond Shamrock Corp said that effective today it had cut its contract prices for crude oil by 1 *period* 50 dlrs a barrel *period* The reduction brings its posted price for West Texas Intermediate to 16 *period* 00 dlrs a barrel *comma* the copany said *period* *quote* The price reduction today was made in the light of falling oil product prices and a weak crude oil market *comma* *quote* a company spokeswoman said *period* Diamond is the latest in a line of U *period* S *period* oil companies that have cut its contract *comma* or posted *comma* prices over the last two days citing weak oil markets *period* Reuter))

(0453 (petro) 
     (TEXACO CANADA LOWERS CRUDE POSTINGS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* Feb 26)
     (Texaco Canada said it lowered the contract price it will pay for crude oil 64 Canadian cts a barrel *comma* effective today *period* The decrease brings the company *apostrophe* s posted price for the benchmark grade *comma* Edmonton *slash* Swann Hills Light Sweet *comma* to 22 *period* 26 Canadian dlrs a bbl *period* Texaco Canada last changed its crude oil postings on Feb 19 *period* Reuter))

(0454 (organic) 
     (USDA SAID UNLIKELY TO BROADEN CORN BONUS OFFER)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* Feb 26)
     (The U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department probably will not offer a two dlr per bushel bonus payment to corn farmers for any erodible cropland they enrolled in the conservation reserve program last year *comma* an aide to USDA Secretary Richard Lyng said *period* Sen *period* Charles Grassley *lparen* R *dash* Iowa *rparen* said yesterday that Lyng had indicated he would consider giving those farmers the same two dlr bonus offered corn farmers who are signing up for the 1987 program this month *period* But the aide to Lyng said it was doubtful that the department would offer a retroactive bonus to farmers who enrolled land in the 10 *dash* year conservation reserve last year *period* *quote* How are you going to stop the tide *comma* *quote* he said *comma* referring to demands that would follow from other commodity groups *period* Reuter))

(0455 (petro) 
     (MARATHON PETROLEUM REDUCES CRUDE POSTINGS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* Feb 26)
     (Marathon Petroleum Co said it reduced the contract price it will pay for all grades of crude oil one dlr a barrel *comma* effective today *period* The decrease brings Marathon *apostrophe* s posted price for both West Texas Intermediate and West Texas Sour to 16 *period* 50 dlrs a bbl *period* The South Louisiana Sweet grade of crude was reduced to 16 *period* 85 dlrs a bbl *period* The company last changed its crude postings on Jan 12 *period* Reuter))

(0456 (organic) 
     (RELIEF TO U *period* S *period*  CORN *slash* OATS GROWERS SAID LIKELY)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* Feb 26)
     (U *period* S *period* farmers who in the past have grown oats for their own use but failed to certify to the government that they had done so probably will be allowed to continue planting that crop and be eligible for corn program benefits *comma* an aide to Agriculture Secretary Richard Lyng said *period* Currently a farmer *comma* to be eligible for corn program benefits *comma* must restrict his plantings of other program crops to the acreage base for that crop *period* Several members of Congress from Iowa have complained that farmers who inadvertantly failed to certify that they had grown oats for their own use in the past now are being asked to halt oats production or lose corn program benefits *period* USDA likely will allow historic oats farmers to plant oats but not extend the exemption to all farmers *comma* Lyng *apostrophe* s aide said *period* Reuter))

(0457 (petro) 
     (HOUSTON OIL RESERVES STUDY COMPLETED)
     (HOUSTON *comma* Feb 26)
     (Houston Oil Trust said that independent petroleum engineers completed an annual study that estimates the trust *apostrophe* s future net revenues from total proved reserves at 88 mln dlrs and its discounted present value of the reserves at 64 mln dlrs *period* Based on the estimate *comma* the trust said there may be no money available for cash distributions to unitholders for the remainder of the year *period* It said the estimates reflect a decrease of about 44 pct in net reserve revenues and 39 pct in discounted present value compared with the study made in 1985 *period* Reuter))

(0458 (organic) 
     (THAI RICE EXPORTS RISE IN WEEK ENDED FEBRUARY 24)
     (BANGKOK *comma* Feb 27)
     (Thailand exported 84 *comma* 960 tonnes of rice in the week ended February 24 *comma* up from 80 *comma* 498 the previous week *comma* the Commerce Ministry said *period* It said government and private exporters shipped 27 *comma* 510 and 57 *comma* 450 tonnes respectively *period* Private exporters concluded advance weekly sales for 79 *comma* 448 tonnes against 79 *comma* 014 the previous week *period* Thailand exported 689 *comma* 038 tonnes of rice between the beginning of January and February 24 *comma* up from 556 *comma* 874 tonnes during the same period last year *period* It has commitments to export another 658 *comma* 999 tonnes this year *period* REUTER))

(0459 (organic) 
     (TOKYO EXCHANGE ALLOWS MORE GOLD AND RUBBER BROKERS)
     (TOKYO *comma* June 1)
     (The Tokyo Commodity Exchange for Industry *lparen* TOCOM *rparen* said it will allow five more members to become precious metal brokers *comma* taking the total to 54 *comma* and four more members to broke rubber *comma* for a total of 39 *period* An exchange official told Reuters the Ministry of International Trade and Industry is expected to approve the the new brokers by mid *dash* June *period* The move has been under study since early May in response to requests by non *dash* broker members of the exchange *period* REUTER))

(0460 (financial) 
     (JAPAN EXTENDS 24 BILLION YEN LOAN TO BANGLADESH)
     (DHAKA *comma* June 1)
     (Japan has extended a 24 billion yen loan to Bangladesh *comma* Finance Ministry officials said *period* The loan *comma* to be disbursed over two years from next July *comma* is for chemicals *comma* cement *comma* steel and machinery imports and for setting up a power plant in eastern Sylhet district *comma* they said *period* Terms were not disclosed *period* The credit brings total Japanese loans and grants to Bangladesh to 441 *period* 25 billion yen since 1972 *comma* they said *period* REUTER))

(0461 (petro) 
     (GAS CARRIER ESCAPED GULF ATTACK LAST WEEK *dash* LLOYDS)
     (LONDON *comma* June 1)
     (The Panamanian liquified gas carrier Nyhammer *comma* 48 *comma* 772 dwt *comma* was attacked by an Iranian gunboat on May 24 *comma* Lloyds Shipping Intelligence said *period* One rocket was fired but missed *period* The vessel subsequently arrived at its destination of Ras Tanura on May 25 and left this morning *period* REUTER))

(0462 (financial) 
     (SEOUL ANNOUNCES MORE TARIFF CUTS FOR U *period* S *period* )
     (SEOUL *comma* June 1)
     (South Korea will cut import taxes on 50 goods *comma* including construction equipment *comma* cigarettes and tobacco *comma* to help reduce its trade surplus with the United States *comma* the Finance Ministry said today *period* The tariff cuts of between five and 30 pct will take effect on July 1 *period* South Korea ran a trade surplus of 7 *period* 3 billion dlrs with Washington in 1986 *comma* sharply up from 4 *period* 3 billion in 1985 *period* Today *apostrophe* s announcement brings to 157 the number of goods for which similar measures were taken this year *comma* a ministry official said *period* The 157 are among about 290 items on which Washington has asked Seoul to lower tariffs *period* *quote* This is in line with the government *apostrophe* s policy to limit our trade surplus with the United States to help reduce trade friction between the two countries *comma* *quote* said the official *period* Reuter))

(0463 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET GIVEN 25 MLN STG LATE ASSISTANCE)
     (LONDON *comma* June 1)
     (The Bank of England said it provided the money market with late assistance of around 25 mln stg *period* This takes the Bank *apostrophe* s total help today to some 137 mln stg and compares with its latest forecast of a 150 mln stg shortage *period* REUTER))

(0464 (petro) 
     (DOW CHEMICAL TO INCREASE PRICES)
     (MIDLAND *comma* Mich *period* *comma* June 1)
     (Dow Chemical U *period* S *period* A *period* Midland Co said it will increase prices of its high performance thermal fluids *comma* in bulk and drums *comma* effective July One *comma* for contract and spot customers *period* The bulk list prices for diphenyl oxide *comma* in both technical and refined grades *comma* will be raised five pct to 1 *period* 26 dlrs per pound for technical and 1 *period* 36 dlrs per for refined *comma* Dow said *period* Other increases include Dowtherm G to 21 *period* 92 dlrs per gallon *semicolon* Dowtherm HT to 20 *period* 94 dlrs per gallon *semicolon* Dowtherm J to 14 *period* 96 dlrs per gallon *comma* and Dowtherm LF to 18 *period* 68 dlrs per gallon *period* Reuter))

(0465 (financial) 
     (FED EXPECTED TO SET CUSTOMER REPURCHASES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 1)
     (The Federal Reserve is expected to add reserves to the U *period* S *period* banking system by arranging a round of customer repurchase agreements during this morning *apostrophe* s intervention period *comma* several economists said *period* Some others *comma* however *comma* judged that the Fed has almost completed its reserve *dash* adding requirement for the statement period ending on Wednesday and will not need to operate today *period* Fed funds were trading at 6 *dash* 11 *slash* 16 pct *comma* compared with Friday *apostrophe* s average of 6 *period* 63 pct *period* Reuter))

(0466 (petro) 
     (MONSANTO TO BUY RHONE-POULENC POLYPHENYL BUSINESS)
     (BRUSSELS *comma* June 1)
     (Monsanto Chemical Company *comma* a unit of Monsanto Co *comma* is to acquire the polyphenyls business of Rhone *dash* Poulenc Chimie *comma* a unit of Rhone *dash* Poulenc *comma* Monsanto said in a statement issued from its European headquarters *period* The statement did not disclose financial details *period* Gustaaf Francx *comma* general manager of Monsanto Chemical Co Europe *dash* Africa *comma* said the acquisition would help Monsanto to expand its customer base for polyphenyls *comma* which are used as components for high temperature heat transfer fluids *period* Reuter))

(0467 (metal) 
     (NORTHGATE QUEBEC GOLD WORKERS END STRIKE)
     (TORONTO *comma* June 1)
     (Northgate Exploration Ltd said hourly *dash* paid workers at its two Chibougamau *comma* Quebec mines voted on the weekend to accept a new three *dash* year contract offer and returned to work today after a one *dash* month strike *period* It said the workers *comma* represented by United Steelworkers of America *comma* would receive a 1 *period* 21 dlr an hour pay raise over the life of the new contract and improved benefits *period* Northgate *comma* which produced 23 *comma* 400 ounces of gold in first quarter *comma* said that while the strike slowed production *comma* *quote* We are still looking forward to a very satisfactory performance *period* *quote* The Chibougamau mines produced 81 *comma* 500 ounces of gold last year *period* Reuter))

(0468 (metal) 
     (NORTHGATE QUEBEC WORKERS END STRIKE)
     (TORONTO *comma* June 1)
     (Northgate Exploration Ltd said hourly *dash* paid workers at its two Chibougamau *comma* Quebec *comma* mines voted on the weekend to accept a three *dash* year contract offer and returned to work today after a one *dash* month strike *period* It said the workers *comma* represented by United Steelworkers of America *comma* would receive a 1 *period* 21 *dash* dlr *dash* an *dash* hour pay raise over the life of the new contract and improved benefits *period* Northgate *comma* which produced 23 *comma* 400 ounces of gold in first quarter *comma* said that while the strike slowed production *comma* *quote* We are still looking forward to a very satisfactory performance *period* *quote* The Chibougamau mines produced 81 *comma* 500 ounces of gold last year *period* Reuter))

(0469 (petro) 
     (U *period* S *period*  GULF OF MEXICO RIG COUNT CLIMBS TO 38 *period* 9 PCT)
     (HOUSTON *comma* June 1)
     (Utilization of offshore mobile rigs in the Gulf of Mexico climbed by 2 *period* 1 pct last week to 38 *period* 9 pct *comma* reflecting a total of 91 working rigs *comma* Offshore Data Services said *period* One year ago *comma* the Gulf of Mexico utilization rate was 32 *period* 5 pct *period* Offshore Data Services said some drilling contractors had reported recent increases of about 1 *comma* 000 dlrs a day on large jackup rigs *comma* which now command rates of 11 *comma* 000 to 12 *comma* 000 dlrs a day *period* In the European *slash* Mediterranean area the rig utilization rate rose 0 *period* 6 pct to 53 *period* 6 pct *comma* against 67 *period* 3 pct one year ago *period* Worldwide rig utilization rose by 1 *period* 2 pct to 57 *period* 7 pct *comma* reflecting a net increase of eight working rigs *period* Offshore Data Services said a total of 419 rigs were in use worldwide and 307 were idled last week *period* Reuter))

(0470 (organic) 
     (ONIC TENDERS WEDNESDAY FOR WHEAT FOR PAKISTAN)
     (PARIS *comma* June 1)
     (The French Cereals Intervention Board *lparen* ONIC *rparen* will tender Wednesday for 20 *comma* 000 tonnes soft wheat for Pakistan under the French food aid programme *comma* an ONIC official said *period* The grain will be shipped between June 15 and July 15 *period* ONIC also will hold a tender June 9 for 65 *comma* 000 tonnes soft wheat under the European Community food aid programme *comma* for shipment in bulk during August *comma* the official said *period* Reuter))

(0471 (organic) 
     (FRENCH AID TO TOGO TO HELP COFFEE *comma*  COCOA TREES)
     (LOME *comma* June 1)
     (France is to provide Togo with 475 mln cfa francs of aid for a range of projects that include development of the coffee and cocoa industries and reafforestation in the south of the country *comma* official sources said *period* Reuter))

(0472 (petro) 
     (BAKER HUGHES *quote*  U *period* S *period*  RIG COUNT FALLS TO 758)
     (HOUSTON *comma* June 1)
     (The U *period* S *period* drilling rig count fell by four last week to a total of 758 *comma* against 723 working rigs at this time last year *comma* Baker Hughes Inc said *period* In Canada *comma* the weekly rig count rose 19 to 100 *comma* compared to 46 working rigs last year *period* Among individual states *comma* the steepest declines were in Oklahoma and Louisiana which lost eight and seven *comma* respectively *period* Drilling increases were reported by Michigan *comma* up by five rigs *comma* and Ohio and Pennsylvania which each rose by three *period* Baker Hughes said the total of 758 working rigs in the United States included 84 rigs working in offshore waters *period* Reuter))

(0473 (petro) 
     (MONSANTO TO ACQUIRE RHONE-POULENC ASSETS)
     (ST *period* LOUIS *comma* June 1)
     (Monsanto Co said it is acquiring certain commerical assets of polyphenyl business *period* Terms of the transaction were not disclosed *period* Among the assets being acquired are its polyphenyl business worldwide *comma* including biphenyl and the heat transfer fluid Gilotherm TH *comma* together with associated manufacturing and application technology *comma* Monsanto said *period* Reuter))

(0474 (financial) 
     (REAGAN URGES FULFILLMENT OF EXCHANGE ACCORDS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 1)
     (President Reagan *comma* preparing to depart for the Venice economic summit on Wednesday *comma* said the United States and its allies must fulfill agreements on exchange rate stability *period* *quote* Economic policy decisions made last year in Tokyo *comma* and at this year *apostrophe* s meetings of Group of 7 Finance ministers in Paris and in Washington *comma* cannot be ignored or forgotten *comma* *quote* he said *period* *quote* The commitments made at these meetings need to be translated into action *comma* *quote* Reagan said in a pre *dash* summit speech celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Marshall Plan *period* Reuter))

(0475 (organic) 
     (ADDITIONAL CCC CREDIT GUARANTEES FOR KOREA--USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 1)
     (The Commodity Credit Corporation *lparen* CCC *rparen* has reallocated 50 *period* 0 mln dlrs in credit guarantees from the previously announced undesignated line to provide additional guarantees for sales of feedgrains *comma* oilseeds *comma* and wheat to South Korea *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* The department said the action increases the feed grains line by 23 mln dlrs to 63 mln *comma* the oilseed line by seven mln dlrs to 52 mln *comma* and the wheat guarantee line by 20 mln to 165 mln dlrs *period* The undesignated line is reduced to zero *period* The commodities are for delivery during the current fiscal year ending this September 30 *comma* it said *period* Reuter))

(0476 (organic) 
     (ANDRIESSEN HINTS FATS *slash* OIL TAX COULD GO TO SUMMIT)
     (HEVEREN *comma* Belgium *comma* June 1)
     (European Community *lparen* EC *rparen* Agriculture Commissioner Frans Andriessen said his proposal for a tax of up to 330 European Currency Units per tonne on oils and fats was likely to go up for discussion at next week *apostrophe* s summit meeting of EC leaders *period* EC farm ministers have been unable to agree the tax *comma* one of the main items proposed by Andriessen for the 1987 *dash* 88 farm price package *period* The tax *comma* which would apply on both domestically *dash* produced and imported oils and fats *comma* has been fiercely opposed by the United States and developing countries *apostrophe* vegetable and marine oil producers *period* Reuter))

(0477 (financial) 
     (IDA EXTENDS 37 *period* 1 MLN DLRS IN AFRICA LOANS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 1)
     (The World Bank said it will provide 37 *period* 1 mln dlrs to Tanzania and Rwanda through the International Development Association *lparen* IDA *rparen* *comma* the bank *apostrophe* s concessionary lending affiliate *period* Tanzania will recieve a 23 mln dlr IDA loan to help rehabilitate its telecommunications network *comma* the bank said *period* The 14 *period* 1 mln dlr IDA loan to Rwanda will help finance tropical forest conservation projects and a reforestation program *comma* the bank said *period* The IDA credit is for 50 years *comma* including 10 years of grace *comma* and carries no interest *comma* the bank said *period* Reuter))

(0478 (organic) 
     (BARLEY SOLD TO SAUDI ARABIA *dash* USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 1)
     (Private exporters reported sales of 150 *comma* 000 tonnes of barley to Saudi Arabia for delivery in the 1987 *slash* 88 season *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Deapartment said *period* The 1987 *slash* 88 season for barley begins today *period* Reuter))

(0479 (organic) 
     (DEKALB SELLS HEINOLD HOG MARKET)
     (DEKALB *comma* Ill *period* *comma* June 1)
     (Dekalb Corp said it sold its Heinold Hog Market Inc to the unit *apostrophe* s employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan *lparen* ESOP *rparen* *period* Terms were not disclosed *comma* but president Bruce Bickner said the sale will have a positive *comma* but not substantial *comma* impact on DeKalb as a whole *period* The company said the hog marketing unit did not fit with its strategy of investing in its core businesses *period* Reuter))

(0480 (petro) 
     (SOUTH KOREA INCREASES DUTY ON CRUDE IMPORTS)
     (SEOUL *comma* June 2)
     (South Korea has increased its duty on crude oil imports to 4 *period* 29 dlrs a barrel from 3 *period* 29 dlrs *comma* effective today *comma* the energy ministry said *period* The duty *comma* to raise funds for special energy projects *comma* was adjusted after average crude import prices rose to 16 *period* 85 dlrs a barrel in April *comma* from 16 *period* 65 dlrs in March and 13 *period* 08 dlrs in April 1986 *comma* ministry officials said *period* A separate 24 *period* 5 pct import tax on crude oil is unchanged *period* REUTER))

(0481 (metal) 
     (CHINA MOVES TO STABILISE WORLD TUNGSTEN PRICES)
     (PEKING *comma* June 18)
     (China is moving to stabilise world prices of tungsten after fluctuating prices this year affected the country *apostrophe* s export earnings *comma* the China Daily said *period* The paper quoted industry officials as saying they would fix export prices on the basis of the world market *comma* stop smuggling and encourage producers to reduce exports *period* Current world prices range from 49 to 55 dlrs per tonne unit *comma* but China suffered heavy losses when the price slumped to 39 dlrs earlier this year *comma* it said *period* Some 45 pct of world tungsten exports come from China *comma* but the country imports high *dash* grade tungsten products *period* REUTER))

(0482 (metal) 
     (AUSTRALIA TO PRODUCE SILVER AND PLATINUM COINS)
     (CANBERRA *comma* June 18)
     (The Australian government has given support in principle to the production of platinum and silver bullion coins at the Perth Mint *comma* Treasurer Paul Keating said *period* This followed the success of the Australian Nugget gold bullion coins launched this year *comma* he said in a statement *period* He said that *comma* as with the Australian nuggets *comma* the coins would be legal tender *period* The platinum coins would be made in four weights but the silver coin would be of one ounce weight *period* He said detailed arrangements for their issue would be finalised after talks between the Federal authorities and the Western Australian government *comma* owner of the Perth Mint *period* REUTER))

(0483 (petro) 
     (AUSTRALIAN CRUDE OUTPUT FALLS IN FIRST NINE MONTHS)
     (CANBERRA *comma* June 18)
     (Australian crude oil and condensate output fell 7 *period* 6 pct to 23 *comma* 480 megalitres *comma* or about 147 mln barrels *comma* in the first nine months of fiscal 1986 *slash* 87 ending June 30 *comma* the Department of Resources and Energy said *period* The decline in production in the nine months to end *dash* March reflected mainly a sharp dip early in the fiscal year *comma* when low oil prices and high marginal excise rates led to a reduction of output from Bass Strait *comma* department figures in its Major Energy Statistics publication show *period* A megalitre is 6 *comma* 290 barrels *period* REUTER))

(0484 (financial) 
     (NEW ZEALAND TO REPAY UP TO 600 MLN DLRS OF DEBT)
     (WELLINGTON *comma* June 18)
     (New Zealand will repay a portion of its 42 *period* 48 billion N *period* Z *period* Dlr public debt for the first time since 1952 as a result of a 379 mln N *period* Z *period* Dlr budget surplus for fiscal March 1988 *comma* Finance Minister Roger Douglas said *period* Douglas said in a budget statement the surplus is the first achieved in New Zealand in 35 years *period* It compared with a 1 *period* 95 billion dlr deficit in fiscal 1987 *period* Douglas said this year *apostrophe* s government bond tender program would be adjusted in the light of the surplus *comma* providing for the repayment of up to 600 mln dlrs of New Zealand *apostrophe* s 21 *period* 74 billion dlrs of overseas debt *period* Details of which loans will be repaid have still to be decided *period* Douglas said the present scale of the public debt was massive *period* *quote* It will take many years to reduce the debt to an acceptable level *comma* *quote* he said *period* REUTER))

(0485 (financial) 
     (AUSTRIAN CURRENT SURPLUS GROWS IN FOUR MONTHS)
     (VIENNA *comma* June 18)
     (Austria *apostrophe* s current account surplus grew to 11 *period* 0 billion schillings in the first four months this year from 8 *period* 2 billion in the same period last year *comma* the National Bank said *period* In April *comma* the current account recorded a deficit of 300 mln schillings compared with an 800 mln surplus in March and an 800 mln deficit in April *comma* 1986 *comma* the bank said in a statement *period* The trade deficit in the first four months fell to 16 *period* 4 billion schillings from 17 *period* 5 billion in the same period last year while in April the deficit was 4 *period* 1 billion compared with 6 *period* 9 billion in March and 3 *period* 6 billion in April *comma* 1986 *period* REUTER))

(0486 (petro) 
     (ARAB HEAVY TERM CRUDE SUPPLIES TO JAPAN UP IN JULY)
     (TOKYO *comma* June 18)
     (has accepted Japanese nominations to lift a higher proportion of Arab Heavy crude oil under term contracts in July *comma* oil industry sources said *period* Japanese companies requested a ratio of 80 pct Arab Heavy to 20 pct Arab Light under a term contract agreement with Aramco for 100 *comma* 000 barrels per day *comma* the sources said *period* The contractual ratio is 30 pct heavy crude to 70 pct light *period* Japanese demand for heavy crude oil has increased substantially since the All Japan Seaman *apostrophe* s Union ceased sailing into the northern Mideast gulf last month *comma* causing problems with liftings of heavy Kuwait and Khafji crudes *period* REUTER))

(0487 (organic) 
     (TAIWAN TO REOPEN TENDER FOR U *period* S *period*  SOYBEANS)
     (TAIPEI *comma* June 18)
     (The joint committee of Taiwan *apostrophe* s soybean importers will reopen a tender tomorrow for two shipments of 54 *comma* 000 to 66 *comma* 000 tonnes of U *period* S *period* Soybeans *comma* a committee spokesman told Reuters *period* The committee rejected a tender today for a cargo of 27 *comma* 000 to 33 *comma* 000 tonnes on the grounds the prices offered by the U *period* S *period* Suppliers were too high *comma* he said *period* The committee will be seeking a further shipment of between 27 *comma* 000 and 33 *comma* 000 tonnes when it reopens the tender tomorrow *comma* he added *period* REUTER))

(0488 (financial) 
     (U *period* S *period*  SENATORS PROPOSE BAN ON TOSHIBA IMPORTS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 18)
     (Three U *period* S *period* Senators said they will propose a temporary ban on imports of all Toshiba products due to the company *apostrophe* s illegal sales of sensitive high *dash* technology goods to the Soviet Union *period* Senator Jake Garn *comma* John Heinz and Richard Selby said at a hearing of the senate banking committee on export control *comma* they will offer the proposal as part of a major trade bill when it is brought before the senate this summer *period* Garn *comma* a Utah Republican *comma* said *quote* I am talking about specific retribution on a company that endangers the security of their own country and ours *period* *quote* Reuter))

(0489 (financial) 
     (CHILE SIGNS DEBT RESCHEDULING AGREEMENT)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 18)
     (Representatives of the Republic of Chile and its 400 *dash* plus international bank creditors started signing agreements to reschedule 10 *period* 6 billion dlrs of the country *apostrophe* s foreign debt *comma* Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co said *period* Manufacturers Hanover *comma* which chairs a 12 *dash* bank advisory committee that agreed the terms of the deal in late February *comma* said all of Chile *apostrophe* s creditor banks have approved the package *period* A key feature of the rescheduling agreement is that Chile will avoid the need for fresh bank loans this year and next by making interest payments to the banks every twelve months instead of every six months *period* Reuter))

(0490 (organic) 
     (FOUR SUGAR CARGOES SOLD TO CHINA YESTERDAY -TRADE)
     (LONDON *comma* June 18)
     (Four cargoes of raw sugar were sold to China yesterday via the London trade to supplement the country *apostrophe* s current nearby buying programme *comma* traders said *period* The sugar was reported sold at around 160 dlrs a tonne c and f for July *slash* August shipment or arrival in September *comma* they said *period* Some traders said recent Chinese purchases could total as much as 300 *comma* 000 tonnes *comma* but others *comma* while agreeing a heavy volume had been taken *comma* said an amount less than that figure was involved *period* China was still believed to be in the market for more sugar *comma* traders said *period* REUTER))

(0491 (organic) 
     (DUTCH PARLIAMENT BACKS STAND AGAINST OILS TAX)
     (ROTTERDAM *comma* June 18)
     (Dutch parliamentary parties have re *dash* affirmed their support for the government *apostrophe* s opposition to the proposed European Community tax on oils and fats *comma* parliamentarians said *period* A broad cross *dash* section of members of parliament voiced their opposition to the tax during a debate in the lower house yesterday on the basis of possible retaliation from the U *period* S *period* And on the potentially damaging effect on Third World countries *period* State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Rene Van Der Linden said the government was against the tax although it noted deepening EC financial difficulties *period* *quote* It is difficult to be against the tax and against extra finance *period* The EC members have to make a choice *comma* *quote* Van Der Linden said *period* However *comma* he denied the government had dropped its opposition to the proposed tax or altered its position *period* REUTER))

(0492 (organic) 
     (RPT *dash* OPPOSITION TO EC OILS TAX INTACT *dash* MINISTER)
     (LUXEMBOURG *comma* June 17)
     (A minority group of European Community countries strong enough to block the adoption of a tax on vegetable and marine oils and fats is still intact after the EC Commission proposed changes to its proposals earlier today *comma* British agriculture minister John MacGregor told journalists *period* He said Britain *comma* West Germany *comma* the Netherlands and Denmark continue to oppose the tax after the Commission proposed making it temporary and promising compensation to any third countries whose exports suffered *period* Reuter))

(0493 (financial) 
     (ARAB MONETARY FUND LENDS IRAQ 71 *period* 7 MLN DLRS)
     (ABU DHABI *comma* June 18)
     (The Arab Monetary Fund is to lend Iraq 71 *period* 7 mln dlrs to help to finance its trade with other Arab countries *comma* the United Arab Emirates news agency WAM said *period* The first repayment on the loan will fall due in 30 months with full repayment spread over four years *period* The loan carries 4 *period* 95 pct interest in the first year *comma* rising to 5 *period* 85 pct in the fourth year *period* Today *apostrophe* s agreement brings total loans by the fund to Iraq since 1983 to 390 *period* 6 mln dlrs *period* REUTER))

(0494 (organic) 
     (INDONESIA *slash* TURKEY ELIGIBLE FOR CATTLE UNDER EEP)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 18)
     (U *period* S *period* exporters will be able to sell 8 *comma* 000 head of dairy cattle to Indonesia and 5 *comma* 000 head to Turkey under the Export Enhancement Program *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* The export sales will be subsidized with commodities from the inventory of the Commodity Credit Corporation *lparen* CCC *rparen* *comma* the department said *period* Indonesia and Turkey already have purchased 7 *comma* 500 and 5 *comma* 000 head of dairy cattle *comma* respectively *comma* under the program *period* Details of the program and an invitation for offers from exporters will be issued in the near future *comma* it said *period* Reuter))

(0495 (petro) 
     (SHELL CANADA RAISES CRUDE 32 CTS CANADIAN)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 18)
     (Shell Canada *comma* whose majority interest is owned by the Royal Dutch *slash* Shell Group of companies *comma* raised the postings of light sweet and sour crude oil from Edmonton *slash* Swann Hills 32 Canadian cts a barrel *comma* effective today *period* The new price for light sweet crude oil is 25 *period* 60 Canadian dlrs a barrel while the new price for light sweet sour crude is 24 *period* 08 Canadian dlrs a barrel *period* The Royal Dtuch *slash* Shell Group owns 72 pct of Shell Canada and public shareholders *comma* primarily Canadian *comma* own the remaining 28 pct of the company *comma* a Shell Canada spokesman said *period* Reuter))

(0496 (petro) 
     (IMPERIAL OIL RAISES CRUDE 32 CANADIAN CTS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 18)
     (Canadian Imperial Oil *comma* 70 pct Exxon owned *comma* said it raised its posting for light sweet crude oil at Edmonton by 32 canadian cts a barrel *comma* effective today *period* The company said its new posting for light sweet crude oil at Edmonton is 25 *period* 60 canadian dlrs a barrel *period* Reuter))

(0497 (financial) 
     (FED EXPECTED TO ADD RESERVES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 18)
     (The Federal Reserve will enter the government securities market to supply reserves via either a large round of customer repurchase agreements or by overnight or possibly four *dash* day system repurchases *comma* economists said *period* They said the Fed has a fairly large add need and is likely to face the most reserve dislocations early in the new statement period started today as corporate tax payments swell Treasury balances at the Fed *period* Fed funds hovered at 6 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct after averaging 6 *period* 80 pct yesterday *period* Reuter))

(0498 (petro) 
     (SOUTHLAND UNIT RAISES CRUDE 50 CTS *slash* BBL)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 18)
     (Southland Corp *apostrophe* s subsidiary Citgo Petroleum said it raised its posted prices for crude oil across the board by 50 cts a barrel *comma* effective June 17 *period* Citgo said its new posting for West Texas Intermediate and West Texas Sour is 19 dlrs a barrel *period* Light Louisiana Sweet is now posted at 19 *period* 35 *comma* the company said *period* Reuter))

(0499 (petro) 
     (MURPHY OIL RAISES CRUDE POSTINGS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 18)
     (Murphy Oil said it increased its crude oil posted prices by 50 cts a barrel *comma* effective June 17 *period* The company said its new posting for West Texas Intermediate and West Texas Sour is 19 dlrs a barrel *period* Light Louisiana Sweet crude is now 19 *period* 35 dollars a barrel *comma* the company said *period* Increases follow a general trend in the industry started yesterday by Sun Co *period* Reuter))

(0500 (petro) 
     (PHILLIPS PETROLEUM RAISES CRUDE POSTINGS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 18)
     (Phillips Petroleum Co said it raised its crude oil posted prices for West Texas Intermediate and West Texas Sour by 50 cts a barrel *comma* effective June 17 *period* The company said the new posted price for WTI and WTS is 19 dlrs a barrel *period* The increase is in reaction to Sun Co raising postings similarly yesterday *period* Reuter))

(0501 (petro) 
     (MOBIL HAS NORTH SEA NATURAL GAS FIND)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 18)
     (Mobil Corp said the 49 *slash* 28 *dash* 14 wildcat well in Block 49 *slash* 28 of the British North Sea flowed 50 *period* 6 mln cubic feet of natural gas per day from depths of 7 *comma* 742 to 7 *comma* 777 feet *period* The company said it has a 23 *period* 33 pct interest and other interest holders include Atlantic Richfield Co *comma* Sun Co and Deminex AG 10 pct *period* Reuter))

(0502 (financial) 
     (IMF LOANS UGANDA 92 *period* 1 MLN DLRS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 18)
     (The International Monetary Fund said it has loaned Uganda 92 *period* 1 mln dlrs to aid in economic recovery *period* The fund said 60 mln dlrs of the loan is available through the so *dash* called structural adjustment facility *lparen* SAF *rparen* over the next three years *period* The fund said 57 *period* 5 mln dlrs will be available immediately under the SAF and a separate financing arrangement *period* After expanding in the early 1980 *apostrophe* s *comma* Uganda *apostrophe* s economy has suffered setbacks since 1984 of falling industrial and agricultural output and accelerating inflation *comma* the fund said *period* The current economic downturn has been worsened by the sharp decline in the world price of coffee *comma* Uganda *apostrophe* s major export *comma* the fund said *period* Reuter))

(0503 (petro) 
     (UNION PACIFIC RAISES CRUDE OIL PRICES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 18)
     (Union Pacific Resources *comma* formerly Champlin Petroleum *comma* said it raised posted prices for crude oil by 50 cts a barrel *comma* effective yesterday *period* The price increase brings West Texas Intermediate *comma* the U *period* S *period* benchmark grade *comma* to 19 *period* 00 dlrs a barrel *period* The posted price increase follows a similar move by several other oil companies *period* Sun Co was the first to raise crude oil postings yesterday afternoon and today many other companies are following *period* The last price increase made by oil companies was around May 22 *period* Reuter))

(0504 (financial) 
     (VaALIAN BALANCE OF PAYMENTS IN DEFICIT IN MAY)
     (ROME *comma* June 18)
     (Italy *apostrophe* s overall balance of payments showed a deficit of 3 *comma* 211 billion lire in May compared with a surplus of 2 *comma* 040 billion in April *comma* provisional Bank of Italy figures show *period* The May deficit compares with a surplus of 1 *comma* 555 billion lire in the corresponding month of 1986 *period* For the first five months of 1987 *comma* the overall balance of payments showed a surplus of 299 billion lire against a deficit of 2 *comma* 854 billion in the corresponding 1986 period *period* REUTER))

(0505 (financial) 
     (ITALIAN NET OFFICIAL RESERVES FALL IN MAY)
     (ROME *comma* June 18)
     (Italy *apostrophe* s net official reserves fell to 67 *comma* 110 billion lire in May from a previously reported 68 *comma* 455 billion in April *comma* the Bank of Italy said *period* Gold holdings totalled 35 *comma* 243 billion lire at end May *comma* unchanged from end April *period* Convertible currencies totalled 18 *comma* 277 billion lire in May *comma* down from 20 *comma* 028 billion in April *comma* while European Currency Unit holdings were 10 *comma* 610 billion against 10 *comma* 528 billion *period* REUTER))

(0506 (financial) 
     (ITALIAN BALANCE OF PAYMENTS IN DEFICIT IN MAY)
     (ROME *comma* June 18)
     (Italy *apostrophe* s overall balance of payments showed a deficit of 3 *comma* 211 billion lire in May compared with a surplus of 2 *comma* 040 billion in April *comma* provisional Bank of Italy figures show *period* The May deficit compares with a surplus of 1 *comma* 555 billion lire in the corresponding month of 1986 *period* For the first five months of 1987 *comma* the overall balance of payments showed a surplus of 299 billion lire against a deficit of 2 *comma* 854 billion in the corresponding 1986 period *period* REUTER))

(0507 (petro) 
     (COASTAL CRUDE POSTING UP 50 CTS *slash* BBL)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 18)
     (Coastal Corp said it raised the postings of crude oil 50 cts a barrel across the board *comma* effective yesterday *comma* June 17 *period* The new price for West Texas Intermediate is 19 *period* 00 dlrs a barrel *period* For West Texas Sour the new price is 18 *period* 10 dlrs a barrel *period* Reuter))

(0508 (financial) 
     (FED ADDS RESERVES VIA CUSTOMER REPURCHASES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 18)
     (The Federal Reserve entered the government securities market to supply temporary reserves indirectly via two billion dlrs of customer repurchase agreements *comma* a spokesman for the New York Fed said *period* Fed funds were trading at 6 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct when the Fed began its action *period* Reuter))

(0509 (petro) 
     (NATIONAL INTERGROUP UNIT RAISES CRUDE PRICES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 18)
     (Permian Corp *comma* a subsidiary of National Intergroup *comma* said it raised its crude oil postings by 50 cts a barrel *comma* effective June 17 *period* the company said its new posted price for West Texas Intermediate and West Texas Sour is 19 dlrs a barrel *comma* while Light Louisiana Sweet is now 19 *period* 35 *period* The price hike follows other increases industrywide *period* Reuter))

(0510 (petro) 
     (PETRO-CANADA CRUDE UP 32 CTS CANADIAN *slash* BBL)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 18)
     (Petro *dash* Canada *comma* a state *dash* owned oil company *comma* raised the posting prices of sweet and sour crude oils 32 cts Canadian per barrel *comma* effective today *comma* the company said *period* The change brings the price of light sweet crude to 26 *period* 50 dlrs Canadian per barrel and the price of light sour crude to 23 *period* 77 dlrs Canadian a barrel *period* The crude oils are from Edmonton *slash* Swann Hills *period* Reuter))

(0511 (petro) 
     (PAN-ALBERTA *slash* UNITED GAS SETTLEMENT APPROVED)
     (CALGARY *comma* Alberta *comma* June 18)
     (Pan *dash* Alberta Gas Ltd said its 1986 proposed settlement with United Gas Pipe Line Co *comma* of Houston *comma* received unconditional approval by the U *period* S *period* Federal Energy Regulator Commission *period* Pan *dash* Alberta said the approved deal authorized terms of a two *dash* year interim contract amendment *comma* cash payments and transportation credits for Pan *dash* Alberta *apostrophe* s customers *comma* minimum yearly natural gas takes by United and a two *dash* year commodity price *period* United will pay Pan *dash* Alberta producers about 50 mln dlrs over the interim period and take at least an average 40 mln cubic feet a day of gas *comma* Pan *dash* Alberta said *period* Reuter))

(0512 (petro) 
     (UNOCAL RAISED CRUDE OIL POSTINGS BY 50 CTS *slash* BBL)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 18)
     (Unocal said it raised its postings for crude oil by 50 cts a barrel *comma* effective June 17 *period* The company said it is now posting West Texas Intermediate and West Texas Sour at 19 dlrs a barrel *period* Unocal said its new Light Louisiana Sweet posted price is 19 *period* 35 dlrs a barrel *period* the price move follows a wave of increases initiated by Sun Co yesterday *period* Reuter))

(0513 (petro) 
     (REICHHOLD RAISES WAFERBOARD RESIN PRICES)
     (MISSISSAUGA *comma* Ont *period* *comma* June 18)
     (Reichhold Chemicals Inc said its Reichhold Ltd subsidiary has raised prices seven U *period* S *period* cent per pound on powdered phenolic waferboard resins *comma* effective July 1 *comma* due to sharp increases in the cost of phenol *period* Reuter))

(0514 (petro) 
     (DIAMOND SHAMROCK RAISES CRUDE POSTINGS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 18)
     (Diamond Shamrock R and M said it raised its crude oil contract prices by 50 cts a barrel *comma* effective June 17 *period* The company said its new posting for West Texas Intermediate crude is 19 dlrs a barrel *period* The price increase follows similar moves by several other companies *period* Reuter))

(0515 (petro) 
     (DUPONT UNIT RAISES CRUDE OIL POSTINGS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 18)
     (Conoco Inc *comma* a subsidiary of duPont deNemours *comma* said it raised the contract price it will pay for all grades of crude oil 50 cts a barrel *comma* effective yesterday *period* The increase brings Conoco *apostrophe* s posted price for West Texas Intermediate to 19 *period* 00 dlrs a barrel *period* The West Texas Sour grade *comma* at 34 API *comma* now stands at 18 *period* 10 dlrs a barrel *period* Light Louisiana was also raised 50 cts to 19 *period* 35 dlrs barrel *period* Conoco last changed its crude postings on May 21 *period* Reuter))

(0516 (petro) 
     (FLUOR WINS GENERAL ELECTRIC CONTRACT)
     (IRVINE *comma* Calif *period* *comma* June 18)
     (Fluor Corp said it won a contract with General Electric to design *comma* construct and deliver modules for a methyl chloride process addition *period* The value of the contract was not disclosed *period* Fluor said its Applied Engineering Co unit will construct 28 modular sections and deliver them to GE *apostrophe* s Waterford *comma* N *period* Y *period* Silicone Products division plant *period* Methyl chloride is an integral part of silicone production *period* Reuter))

(0517 (petro) 
     (KELLEY OIL BUYING OIL PROPERTIES)
     (HOUSTON *comma* June 18)
     (Kelley Oil and Gas Partners Ltd said it has agreed to purchase all of CF Industries Inc *apostrophe* s oil and natural gas properties for about 5 *comma* 500 *comma* 000 dlrs *comma* effective July 1 *period* It said the Louisiana properties had proven reserves at year *dash* end of 11 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 85 *comma* 000 barrels of oil *comma* condensate and natural gas liquids *period* Kelley said it currently owns working interests in some of the properties *period* Reuter))

(0518 (organic) 
     (IBC DETAILS PLANS TO PAY CREDITORS)
     (RIO DE JANEIRO *comma* June 18)
     (The Brazilian Coffee Institute *comma* IBC *comma* gave details of its plans to pay the 18 companies that bought 630 *comma* 000 bags of robusta coffee in the London market on its behalf last September *period* An IBC spokesman told Reuters that a 15 mln dlr loan from the Banco do Brasil would be used to pay five mln dlrs a month in June *comma* July and August to creditors *period* He said an auction of coffee would raise additional money and added that a Reuter report on June 16 gave the wrong impression that the auction was necessary to raise part of the 15 mln dlrs *period* No date has yet been set for the auction *period* Reuter))

(0519 (financial) 
     (WORLD BANK MISSION HOLDS LOAN TALKS WITH BRAZIL)
     (BRASILIA *comma* June 18)
     (A World Bank mission today held talks with a senior Finance Ministry official to discuss Brazil *apostrophe* s requests for loans *comma* ministry officials said *period* They said Brazil *comma* the bank *apostrophe* s biggest customer *comma* was asking for two billion dlrs for the financial year starting in July *comma* including 500 mln dlrs for the energy sector *period* The mission *comma* headed by Gabin Ran Kankani *comma* head of the Bank *apostrophe* s Brazil division *comma* met Finance Ministry secretary Nailson Nobrega *period* Officials said they had provided the World Bank with information on the economic plan now being drawn up by Finance Minister Luiz Carlos Bresser Pereira *period* The government has invited the IMF to come to study the plan next Monday *period* Bresser Pereira will use the plan as the basis for negotiations with creditors next month in an attempt to reschedule the country *apostrophe* s 111 billion dollar debt *period* Reuter))

(0520 (metal) 
     (PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL BUYS MINERAL RIGHTS)
     (PHOENIX *comma* Ariz *comma* June 18)
     (Pinnacle West Capital Corp said its Malapai Resources Co units bought the mineral rights for uranium mining on about 21 *comma* 000 acres in northern Wyoming from Westinghouns Electric Corp *period* The property is adjacent to a 34 *comma* 000 *dash* acre site the company already owns *period* Both facilities are at expected to be in full operation in the early 1990s *comma* with annual production of one to two mln lbs of uranium concentrates *comma* the company said *period* The new site is expected to produce about 250 *comma* 000 lbs of uranium in its first full year of production in 1988 *period* The adjacent property is expected to begin in 1989 *period* Reuter))

(0521 (financial) 
     (JORDAN GETS 96 *period* 4 MLN DLRS IN WORLD BANK LOANS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 18)
     (Jordan will receive two loans totalling 96 *period* 4 mln dlrs to support projects aimed at increasing that country *apostrophe* s electrical production and improving housing in slum and squatter areas *comma* the World Bank said *period* The bank said it is making a 70 mln dlr loan to help fund a 257 *period* 8 mln dlr project designed to meet its future power needs *period* It said the other loan is 26 *period* 4 mln dlrs in support of project to provide affordable housing *comma* urban infrastructure and social services to low *dash* income families in slum and squatter areas *period* Reuter))

(0522 (petro) 
     (CHEYENNE BUYS INTERESTS IN PROPERTIES)
     (CHEYENNE *comma* Wyo *comma* June 18)
     (Cheyenne Resources Inc said it purchased interests in four producing oil and gas properties for 2 *comma* 240 *comma* 000 shares of the company *apostrophe* s restricted stock *period* The largest interest was 25 pct of an oil and gas well in Weld County *comma* Colo *comma* the company said *period* Cheyenne said it had five pct or less interest in the three other properties *period* Cheyenne said it should realized 10 *comma* 000 dlrs net income monthly at the properties *apostrophe* current production levels *period* Reuter))

(0523 (organic) 
     (EC INCREASES SPECIAL FEED WHEAT TENDERS *dash* TRADE)
     (LONDON *comma* June 18)
     (The European Community *lparen* EC *rparen* has increased the size of two special export tenders for British and West German feed wheat held in intervention stores and included South Korea as an acceptable destination *comma* traders said *period* The tender was originally for 120 *comma* 000 tonnes of British and 120 *comma* 000 tonnes of West German feed wheat for shipment only to Poland *period* But now both tranches have been increased by 50 *comma* 000 tonnes to 170 *comma* 000 tonnes with South Korea added as a possible destination *period* Both tenders are open from June 24 *period* Reuter))

(0524 (organic) 
     (EC REJECTS LICENCES FOR SPANISH BARLEY)
     (PARIS *comma* June 18)
     (The EC Commission cereals management committee rejected all bids for licences to export free market Spanish barley to non *dash* EC countries *comma* trade sources said *period* The licence requests were for 35 *comma* 000 tonnes at between 143 and 145 European Currency Units *lparen* ECUs *rparen* *comma* they said *period* This tender was part of a special tender for 500 *comma* 000 tonnes of Spanish barley *period* The sources said there had been no bids for licences for free market soft wheat and non *dash* Spanish barley exports to non *dash* EC countries *period* Reuter))

(0525 (financial) 
     (WORLD BANK LOANS PORTUGAL 50 MLN DLRS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 18)
     (World Bank said it has loaned Portugal 50 mln dlrs to help improve its highway system *period* The bank loan is part of a 400 *period* 4 mln dlr *comma* three *dash* year government financed project to rehabilitate or improve about 3410 miles of highway *comma* the bank said *period* It also said the project hopes to increase road safety by improving signs *comma* aiding enforcement of axle *dash* load legislation *comma* and adding patrol cars and communications equipment *period* The loan is for 15 years *comma* including three years of grace *comma* at the standard variable interest rate *comma* currently 7 *period* 92 pct *comma* the bank said *period* Reuter))

(0526 (metal) 
     (REYNOLDS METALS TO RESTART IDLE POTLINE)
     (RICHMOND *comma* Va *period* *comma* June 18)
     (Reynolds Metals co said it plans to restart the last idle potuction line at its Troutdale *comma* Ore *period* *comma* primary aluminum plant *period* With the restart of this 22 *comma* 700 *dash* metric *dash* tonne *dash* per *dash* year line *comma* Reynolds said *comma* it will be operating at 100 pct of its consolidated primary aluminum capacity of 695 *comma* 000 tonnes per year *period* Reynolds said work will commence on the potline restart in the near future and it is expected that actual metal production will begin on September one *period* The company said the start up was necessitated by continuing strong demand for aluminum and dwindling worldwide inventories *comma* and that the metal is needed to supply Reynolds *apostrophe* various fabricating businesses *period* Reuter))

(0527 (financial) 
     (CHINA GETS 97 *period* 4 MLN DLR WORLD BANK LOAN)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 18)
     (The World Bank said it approved a 97 *period* 4 mln dlr loan for China to help boost fertilizer output in order to increase agricultural production *period* The 20 *dash* year loan supports a project aimed at improving the efficiency of medium *dash* scale fertilizer plants through technical renovations and energy conservation *comma* the bank said *period* It said the project also seeks to reduce agricultural nutrient imbalances by building the capacity for phosphate fertilizer production and to improve institutional efficiency by introducing modern economic *comma* financial and operational systems and techniques *period* Reuter))

(0528 (petro) 
     (ALLEGHENY FORMING SUBSIDIARY)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 18)
     (Allegheny and Western Energy Corp said it was forming a subsidiary to market gas to smaller users in West Virginia *period* The company also said it completed negotiations to sell between 10 and 12 mln cubic feet of gas per day to a large *comma* unspecified East Coast utility *period* Interstate markets will become part of the subsidiary *apostrophe* s operations *comma* the company said *period* Reuter))

(0529 (financial) 
     (CHINA GETS WORLD BANK LOAN FOR FERTILIZER)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 18)
     (The World Bank said it approved a 97 *period* 4 mln dlr loan for China to help boost fertilizer output in order to increase agricultural production *period* The 20 *dash* year loan supports a project aimed at improving the efficiency of medium *dash* scale fertilizer plants through technical renovations and energy conservation *comma* the bank said *period* It said the project also seeks to reduce agricultural nutrient imbalances by building the capacity for phosphate fertilizer production and to improve institutional efficiency by introducing modern economic *comma* financial and operational systems and techniques *period* Reuter))

(0530 (metal) 
     (TRW INC SETS PACT WITH TEKTRONIX )
     (TORRANCE *comma* Calif *period* *comma* June 18)
     (TRW Inc *apostrophe* s TRW Componenets International Inc unit said it set a pact with Tektronix Inc *apostrophe* s TriQuint Semiconductor unit to jointly supply gallium arsenide devices for space applications *period* As part of the agreement *comma* the two companyies are working together to establish procedures to produce class *quote* S *quote* *lparen* a stringent military specification for space use *rparen* gallium arsenide components *period* TriQuint makes gallilum arsenide integrated circuits *period* Reuter))

(0531 (metal) 
     (FORCE MAJEURE LIFTED AT CAJAMARQUILLA)
     (LIMA *comma* June 18)
     (Peru *apostrophe* s state minerals marketing arm *comma* Minero Peru Comercial SA *lparen* Minpeco *rparen* *comma* lifted a force majeure on zinc ingot shipments from the country *apostrophe* s biggest zinc refinery at Cajamarquilla *comma* a spokesman said *period* The spokesman said the problems affecting sulphuric acid and roaster plants that had halted production since May 4 had been resolved *period* However *comma* he said production of zinc ingots this year was expected to fall to around 86 *comma* 000 tonnes this year at Cajamarquilla *comma* from 94 *comma* 000 tonnes in 1986 because of the stoppage *period* The refinery has an optimum annual production capacity of 100 *comma* 000 tonnes but its highest production was 96 *comma* 000 tonnes of refined zinc ingots in 1985 *comma* the spokesman said *period* Reuter))

(0532 (financial) 
     (MEXICO SIGNS 120 MLN DLR RESTRUCTURING WITH U *period* K *period* )
     (MEXICO CITY *comma* June 18)
     (Mexico signed a rescheduling accord covering 120 mln dlrs in official debts to Britain *comma* as part of a 1 *period* 8 billion dlr restructuring agreed with the Paris club of creditors last year *comma* the finance ministry said *period* The rescheduling is over 10 years with five years grace *comma* and carries an interest margin of 1 *slash* 2 pct over libor *period* Finance minister Gustavo Petricioli *comma* who signed the accord for Mexico *comma* said the agreement reflects a strengthening of economic *comma* financial and trade relations between the two countries *period* The Paris Club restructuring forms part of a 12 billion dlr financial package agreed with Mexico *apostrophe* s creditors last year *period* The rescheduling covers public sector trade debts coming due between september 1986 and march 1988 *period* Reuter))

(0533 (metal) 
     (INSPIRATION CUTS COPPER PRICE 0 *period* 50 CT TO 74 CTS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 18)
     (Inspiration Consolidated Copper Co *comma* a subsidiary of Inspiration Resources Corp *comma* said it is lowering its base price for full *dash* plate copper cathodes by 0 *period* 50 cent to 74 *period* 0 cents a lb *comma* effective immediately *period* Reuter))

(0534 (organic) 
     (CHINA ADDS CORN TO COMMITMENTS *dash* USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 18)
     (China has added 30 *comma* 000 tonnes of U *period* S *period* corn to its previous commitments *comma* according to the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department *apostrophe* s latest Export Sales report *period* The report *comma* covering transactions in the week June 11 *comma* the additional corn resulted from changes in destinations *period* Total corn commitments for delivery in the 1986 *slash* 87 season amount to 1 *comma* 083 *comma* 400 tonnes *period* Reuter))

(0535 (petro) 
     (CHEYENNE BUYS INTERESTS IN PROPERTIES)
     (CHEYENNE *comma* Wyo *comma* June 18)
     (Cheyenne Resources Inc said it purchased interests in four producing oil and gas properties for 2 *comma* 240 *comma* 000 shares of the company *apostrophe* s restricted stock *period* The largest interest was 25 pct of an oil and gas well in Weld County *comma* Colo *comma* the company said *period* Cheyenne said it had five pct or less interest in the three other properties *period* Cheyenne said it should realized 10 *comma* 000 dlrs net income monthly at the properties *apostrophe* current production levels *period* Reuter))

(0536 (organic) 
     (EC REJECTS LICENCES FOR SPANISH BARLEY)
     (PARIS *comma* June 18)
     (The EC Commission cereals management committee rejected all bids for licences to export free market Spanish barley to non *dash* EC countries *comma* trade sources said *period* The licence requests were for 35 *comma* 000 tonnes at between 143 and 145 European Currency Units *lparen* ECUs *rparen* *comma* they said *period* This tender was part of a special tender for 500 *comma* 000 tonnes of Spanish barley *period* The sources said there had been no bids for licences for free market soft wheat and non *dash* Spanish barley exports to non *dash* EC countries *period* Reuter))

(0537 (financial) 
     (WORLD BANK LOANS PORTUGAL 50 MLN DLRS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 18)
     (World Bank said it has loaned Portugal 50 mln dlrs to help improve its highway system *period* The bank loan is part of a 400 *period* 4 mln dlr *comma* three *dash* year government financed project to rehabilitate or improve about 3410 miles of highway *comma* the bank said *period* It also said the project hopes to increase road safety by improving signs *comma* aiding enforcement of axle *dash* load legislation *comma* and adding patrol cars and communications equipment *period* The loan is for 15 years *comma* including three years of grace *comma* at the standard variable interest rate *comma* currently 7 *period* 92 pct *comma* the bank said *period* Reuter))

(0538 (metal) 
     (REYNOLDS METALS TO RESTART IDLE POTLINE)
     (RICHMOND *comma* Va *period* *comma* June 18)
     (Reynolds Metals co said it plans to restart the last idle potuction line at its Troutdale *comma* Ore *period* *comma* primary aluminum plant *period* With the restart of this 22 *comma* 700 *dash* metric *dash* tonne *dash* per *dash* year line *comma* Reynolds said *comma* it will be operating at 100 pct of its consolidated primary aluminum capacity of 695 *comma* 000 tonnes per year *period* Reynolds said work will commence on the potline restart in the near future and it is expected that actual metal production will begin on September one *period* The company said the start up was necessitated by continuing strong demand for aluminum and dwindling worldwide inventories *comma* and that the metal is needed to supply Reynolds *apostrophe* various fabricating businesses *period* Reuter))

(0539 (financial) 
     (CHINA GETS 97 *period* 4 MLN DLR WORLD BANK LOAN)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 18)
     (The World Bank said it approved a 97 *period* 4 mln dlr loan for China to help boost fertilizer output in order to increase agricultural production *period* The 20 *dash* year loan supports a project aimed at improving the efficiency of medium *dash* scale fertilizer plants through technical renovations and energy conservation *comma* the bank said *period* It said the project also seeks to reduce agricultural nutrient imbalances by building the capacity for phosphate fertilizer production and to improve institutional efficiency by introducing modern economic *comma* financial and operational systems and techniques *period* Reuter))

(0540 (metal) 
     (REYNOLDS METALS TO RESTART IDLE POTLINE)
     (RICHMOND *comma* Va *period* *comma* June 18)
     (Reynolds Metals Co said it plans to restart the last idle potline at its Troutdale *comma* Ore *period* *comma* primary aluminum plant *period* With the restart of this 22 *comma* 700 tonne a year production line *comma* Reynolds said it will be operating at 100 pct of its consolidated primary aluminum capacity of 695 *comma* 000 tonnes per year *period* Reynolds said work on the restart will begin in the near future and it is expected that actual metal production will begin September 1 *period* The company said the start *dash* up was necessitated by continuing strong demand for aluminum and dwindling worldwide inventories *comma* and that the metal is needed to supply Reynolds *apostrophe* various fabricating businesses *period* Reuter))

(0541 (financial) 
     (CHINA GETS WORLD BANK LOAN FOR FERTILIZER)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 18)
     (The World Bank said it approved a 97 *period* 4 mln dlr loan for China to help boost fertilizer output in order to increase agricultural production *period* The 20 *dash* year loan supports a project aimed at improving the efficiency of medium *dash* scale fertilizer plants through technical renovations and energy conservation *comma* the bank said *period* It said the project also seeks to reduce agricultural nutrient imbalances by building the capacity for phosphate fertilizer production and to improve institutional efficiency by introducing modern economic *comma* financial and operational systems and techniques *period* Reuter))

(0542 (metal) 
     (FORCE MAJEURE LIFTED AT CAJAMARQUILLA)
     (LIMA *comma* June 18)
     (Peru *apostrophe* s state minerals marketing arm *comma* Minero Peru Comercial SA *lparen* Minpeco *rparen* *comma* lifted a force majeure on zinc ingot shipments from the country *apostrophe* s biggest zinc refinery at Cajamarquilla *comma* a spokesman said *period* The spokesman said the problems affecting sulphuric acid and roaster plants that had halted production since May 4 had been resolved *period* However *comma* he said production of zinc ingots this year was expected to fall to around 86 *comma* 000 tonnes this year at Cajamarquilla *comma* from 94 *comma* 000 tonnes in 1986 because of the stoppage *period* The refinery has an optimum annual production capacity of 100 *comma* 000 tonnes but its highest production was 96 *comma* 000 tonnes of refined zinc ingots in 1985 *comma* the spokesman said *period* Reuter))

(0543 (financial) 
     (MEXICO SIGNS 120 MLN DLR RESTRUCTURING WITH U *period* K *period* )
     (MEXICO CITY *comma* June 18)
     (Mexico signed a rescheduling accord covering 120 mln dlrs in official debts to Britain *comma* as part of a 1 *period* 8 billion dlr restructuring agreed with the Paris club of creditors last year *comma* the finance ministry said *period* The rescheduling is over 10 years with five years grace *comma* and carries an interest margin of 1 *slash* 2 pct over libor *period* Finance minister Gustavo Petricioli *comma* who signed the accord for Mexico *comma* said the agreement reflects a strengthening of economic *comma* financial and trade relations between the two countries *period* The Paris Club restructuring forms part of a 12 billion dlr financial package agreed with Mexico *apostrophe* s creditors last year *period* The rescheduling covers public sector trade debts coming due between september 1986 and march 1988 *period* Reuter))

(0544 (organic) 
     (CHINA ADDS CORN TO COMMITMENTS *dash* USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 18)
     (China has added 30 *comma* 000 tonnes of U *period* S *period* corn to its previous commitments *comma* according to the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department *apostrophe* s latest Export Sales report *period* The report *comma* covering transactions in the week June 11 *comma* the additional corn resulted from changes in destinations *period* Total corn commitments for delivery in the 1986 *slash* 87 season amount to 1 *comma* 083 *comma* 400 tonnes *period* Reuter))

(0545 (financial) 
     (JAPAN STILL WANTS SPECULATIVE DLR DEALS LIMITED)
     (TOKYO *comma* June 19)
     (The Finance Ministry is still asking financial institutions to limit speculative dollar dealings *comma* Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa told reporters *period* He was responding to rumours in the New York currency market overnight that the Ministry was reducing its pressure on institutions to refrain from excessively speculative dollar dealings *period* REUTER))

(0546 (financial) 
     (JAPAN *quote* S JUNE INTERIM TRADE SURPLUS NARROWS)
     (TOKYO *comma* June 19)
     (Japan *apostrophe* s custom *dash* cleared trade surplus narrowed to 1 *period* 61 billion dlrs in the first 10 days of June from 1 *period* 97 billion a year earlier *comma* the Finance Ministry said *period* The June interim surplus compares with a 1 *period* 76 billion dlr surplus in the same May period *period* FOB exports in the first 10 days of June rose 17 *period* 6 pct from a year earlier to 6 *period* 05 billion dlrs while CIF imports rose 39 *period* 6 pct to 4 *period* 44 billion *period* The average yen *slash* dollar rate used for the figures was 141 *period* 04 yen against 169 *period* 03 a year earlier *period* REUTER))

(0547 (financial) 
     (JAPAN TO MAKE LOANS TO INDONESIA AND BOLIVIA)
     (TOKYO *comma* June 19)
     (Japan will lend 27 *period* 17 billion yen to Indonesia and will share equally with the World Bank a 7 *period* 25 billion yen loan to Bolivia as part of its efforts to help Third World countries *comma* a Foreign Ministry spokesman said *period* The lending is in line with Japan *apostrophe* s plan to contribute 20 billion dlrs over the next three years to developing countries *period* Both loans will be used for development *comma* the spokesman told Reuters *period* He declined to name terms *period* REUTER))

(0548 (organic) 
     (TAIWAN BUYS 32 *comma* 000 TONNES OF U *period* S *period*  SOYBEANS)
     (TAIPEI *comma* June 19)
     (The joint committee of Taiwan *apostrophe* s soybean importers awarded a contract to Cargill Inc of Minneapolis *comma* Minnesota *comma* for supply of one 32 *comma* 000 tonne cargo of U *period* S *period* Soybeans *comma* a committee spokesman told Reuters *period* The cargo *comma* priced at 249 *period* 10 U *period* S *period* Dlrs per tonne c and f Taiwan *comma* is set for delivery before July 7 *comma* he said *period* The committee cancelled a tender for another cargo because the prices offered by U *period* S *period* Suppliers were too high *comma* he added *period* REUTER))

(0549 (organic) 
     (AGENCY HEAD SAYS JAPAN SHOULD CUT RICE PRICE)
     (TOKYO *comma* June 19)
     (The government should cut its consumer rice price if the official producer price is reduced next month *comma* Tetsuo Kondo *comma* director general of the government *apostrophe* s Economic Planning Agency *lparen* EPA *rparen* *comma* told reporters *period* Kondo said after a cabinet meeting that consumers should receive the benefits of the falling costs of rice farming due to the strong yen and lower oil prices *period* Agriculture Ministry sources said the producer rice price paid to rice farmers would be cut after discussions by the Rice Price Council *comma* an advisory body to the ministry *comma* on July 1 and 2 *period* The consumer rice price is usually set in December *period* REUTER))

(0550 (financial) 
     (JAPAN MUST TRY HARDER TO CUT SURPLUS *dash* MINISTER)
     (TOKYO *comma* June 19)
     (Japan must try harder to reduce its trade surplus or the yen will come under renewed upward pressure *comma* Economic Planning Minister Tetsuo Kondo *period* He told a press luncheon he hoped Japan could cut its current account surplus by some 10 billion dlrs a year until it is reduced to some 50 to 60 billion dlrs *period* In the fiscal year ended March 31 the surplus totalled 93 *period* 76 billion dlrs *comma* or about 4 *period* 5 pct of GNP *period* The 6 *comma* 000 billion yen economic stimulation package the government unveiled late last month would help slash Japan *apostrophe* s current account surplus by five to six billion dlrs *comma* he said *period* REUTER))

(0551 (financial) 
     (JAPANESE BANKS CONFIRM ARGENTINA LOAN COMMITMENT)
     (TOKYO *comma* June 19)
     (Japanese commercial creditor banks confirmed an earlier commitment to extend some 360 mln dlrs in new loans to Argentina *comma* banking sources said *period* The commitment will represent a part of the 1 *period* 95 billion dlrs in new loans to Argentina agreed to by 350 banks worldwide last April 24 *comma* the sources said *period* The 350 banks were supposed to confirm their Argentina loan commitments by June 17 *period* About 91 pct of them have already done so *comma* but it may take some more time before all have confirmed their intentions *comma* the sources added *period* REUTER))

(0552 (organic) 
     (INDIA BUYS PALM OLEIN AT TENDER *dash* TRADERS)
     (LONDON *comma* June 19)
     (The Indian State Trading Corp *lparen* STC *rparen* are reported to have taken three parcels *comma* around 5 *comma* 000 tonnes each *comma* of palm olein at yesterday *apostrophe* s weekly vegetable oil tender *comma* traders said *period* All are for August shipment at 364 dlrs a tonne cif *period* India passed on all other materials *comma* they added *period* REUTER))

(0553 (metal) 
     (TOTAL ERICKSON BUYS MINING PROPERTY)
     (VANCOUVER *comma* B *period* C *period* *comma* June 19)
     (Total Erickson Resources Ltd and Consolidated Silver Standard Mines Ltd said that Total Erickson has purchased all Consolidated *apostrophe* s interests in its Dome Mountain property for 60 *comma* 000 Total Erickson shares and 70 *comma* 000 dlrs in cash *period* The companies said the property has several gold *dash* bearing veins and has considerable exploration potential *period* Reuter))

(0554 (financial) 
     (NIGERIA MAY SIGN DEBT RESCHEDULING IN SEPTEMBER)
     (LONDON *comma* June 19)
     (A target date of mid *dash* September has been set for the signing of a package rescheduling Nigeria *apostrophe* s medium term public sector debt and outstanding letter of credit claims *comma* Nigeria and Barclays Bank Plc said in a joint statement *period* The statement was issued during the last of a two day meeting here between the two sides *period* Barclays is a co *dash* chairman of the commercial bank steering committee *period* The statement said *comma* *quote* Further progress has been made in the 1986 *slash* 87 rescheduling of medium term public sector debt and outstanding letter of credit claims *period* *quote* REUTER))

(0555 (financial) 
     (REAGAN SAYS TRADE BILL FACES VETO IN PRESENT FORM)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 19)
     (President Reagan said he would veto a House *dash* passed trade bill requiring mandatory retaliation for *quote* unfair trade *quote* if it reached its desk in its present form *period* In a statement at a White House meeting with Senate Republicans on the legislation *comma* he said *colon*  *quote* I would have no choice but to veto that bill in its present form *period* *quote* He said the measure *quote* would move us exactly in the wrong direction *quote* towards high tariffs *comma* trade barriers *comma* trade distorting subsidies *comma* slow growth and crimped world markets *comma* and would destroy jobs *period* Reuter))

(0556 (organic) 
     (FAILURE OF EC FARM PRICE TALKS DISRUPTS TENDERS)
     (LONDON *comma* June 19)
     (There will be no serious bids at European Community open market tenders for wheat and barley until EC farm ministers agree to the 1987 *slash* 88 farm price package *comma* trade sources said *period* The failure of farm ministers this week to come to an agreement resulted in no bids at this week *apostrophe* s tender for export subsidies and traders said bids are unlikely as long as the uncertainty remains *period* One trader said permanent damage to export prospects can be avoided if an agreemend can be reached soon *comma* but the situation will become more serious as time passes *period* However *comma* traders said there seem to be few buyers around *comma* lessening the disruptive impact of the delay *period* Poland and South Korea *comma* who are in the market for feed wheat *comma* will be offered intervention grain through special tenders *comma* traders said *period* Reuter))

(0557 (petro) 
     (TEXACO CANADA TO RAISE CRUDE OIL POSTINGS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 19)
     (*dash* *dash* Texaco Inc *apostrophe* s Texaco Canada said it will raise postings for its Edmonton *slash* Swann Hills crude by 24 canadian cts a barrel *comma* effective June 20 *period* The company said the new posting for Edmonton *slash* Swann Hills will be 25 *period* 60 dlrs a barrel *period* The price hike follows a round of crude oil price increases started late June 17 by Sun Co *period* The other major canadian crude suppliers raised prices June 18 *period* Reuter))

(0558 (financial) 
     (NORWEGIAN CENTRAL BANK RESERVES FALL IN MAY)
     (OSLO *comma* June 19)
     (Norway *apostrophe* s central bank reserves totalled 73 *period* 71 billion crowns in May against 76 *period* 06 billion in April and 95 *period* 02 billion in May 1986 *comma* the Central Bank said in its monthly report *period* Foreign exchange reserves totalled 70 *period* 3 billion crowns *comma* compared with 68 *period* 4 billion in April and 88 *period* 0 billion a year ago *period* Gold reserves were unchanged from April *apostrophe* s 284 *period* 8 mln crowns *comma* and also unchanged from the year *dash* ago figure *period* Central Bank special drawing right holdings were 3 *period* 16 billion crowns *comma* compared with 3 *period* 06 billion in April and 2 *period* 51 billion in May 1986 *period* REUTER))

(0559 (financial) 
     (FED EXPECTED TO ARRANGE SYSTEM REPURCHASES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 19)
     (The Federal Reserve is likely to add temporary reserves to the banking system this morning by executing system repurchase agreements *comma* economists said *period* The Fed faces a need to add a large volume of reserves this statement period to offset a drain caused by rising Treasury balances at the Fed after the June 15 tax date *period* Most economists are predicting over *dash* the *dash* weekend system repurchases *period* But some *comma* who see a smaller adding requirement *comma* are forecasting a less aggressive combination of three *dash* and six *dash* day repos *period* Fed funds were trading at 6 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct *comma* close to yesterday *apostrophe* s 6 *period* 81 pct average *period* Reuter))

(0560 (organic) 
     (TUNISIA BUYS 150 *comma* 000 TONNES FRENCH WHEAT)
     (****PARIS *comma* June 19)
     (Tunisia has bought 150 *comma* 000 tonnes of French soft wheat for August to December shipment at 76 *period* 70 dlrs per tonne fob with COFACE export credit *comma* trade sources said *period* This is the second French soft wheat export sale for the 1987 *slash* 88 season which starts on July 1 and follows a Brazilian purchase of 150 *comma* 000 tonnes *period* France sold around 300 *comma* 000 tonnes of soft wheat to Tunisia during the 1986 *slash* 87 season *period* Reuter))

(0561 (financial) 
     (FED SETS SIX-DAY SYSTEM REPURCHASES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 19)
     (The Federal Reserve entered the government securities market to arrange six *dash* day repurchase agreements for system account *comma* a spokeswoman for the New York Fed said *period* Fed funds were trading at 6 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct at the time of the direct injection of temporary reserves *comma* dealers said *period* Economists had expected three *dash* or six *dash* day repurchases because the Fed needs to add a large volume of reserves this statement period *period* Reuter))

(0562 (financial) 
     (WORLD BANK LOANS INDIA 929 MLN DLRS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 19)
     (The World Bank said it has extended three loans to India totalling 929 mln dlrs *comma* for two projects in the power sector *comma* and one for water supply and sewage *period* One power project will be supported by a 485 mln dlr loan *comma* the bank said *period* The other power project *comma* supported by a 375 mln dlr loan *comma* plans to aid in the first phase of a power generation complex in eastern India *comma* the bank said *period* The third project *comma* which is being supported by a bank loan of 53 mln dlrs and an International Development Association loan of 16 mln dlrs *comma* hopes to increase water supply to Madras *period* Reuter))

(0563 (organic) 
     (U *period* S *period*  REFUSES PARTS OF TWO AUSTRALIA BEEF CARGOES)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 19)
     (U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department inspectors have refused entry to parts of two lots of Australian beef because of pesticide residues *comma* a spokeswoman for the department said *period* She said USDA has notified Australia *comma* which assured it that stricter controls would be implemented *period* The Australian government had already imposed residue controls and it is believed the meat with the presticide residues was already in the pipeline before the controls were put in place *comma* the spokeswoman said *period* There have been five other cases of Australian meat which had residue levels above U *period* S *period* allowable limits this year *comma* she said *period* Reuter))

(0564 (petro) 
     (N-D RESOURCES AGREES TO ACQUIRE ATOKA)
     (CASTLE ROCK *comma* COLO *period* *comma* June 19)
     (N *dash* D Resources Inc said it agreed in principle to issue an undetermined number of shares to Recovery Resources Corp *comma* Bahrain *comma* in order to acquire Recovery *apostrophe* s Atoka Gas Gathering Systems Inc *period* Atoka currently operates a 20 *dash* mile natural gas pipeline of 46 miles in length in southeastern Oklahoma *period* Reuter))

(0565 (financial) 
     (WORLD BANK TO LOAN JAMAICA 104 MLN DLRS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 19)
     (The World Bank said it approved four loans to Jamaica totalling 104 mln dlrs to assist that country with an economic structural adjustment program *comma* a sugar industry rehabilitation scheme and a population and health project *period* The bank said two loans will support Jamaica *apostrophe* s structural adjustment program *dash* *dash* a 40 mln dlr loan for trade and financial sector adjustment and a 20 mln dlr loan for the public enterprise sector *period* The 40 mln dlr loan is designed to raise the performance of exports and industry and strengthen the financial sector *period* Reuter))

(0566 (organic) 
     (SASKATCHEWAN CROPS DETERIORATE IN HOT WEATHER)
     (REGINA *comma* June 19)
     (Hot *comma* dry weather has caused some deterioration in Saskatchewan crops *comma* according to the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool *apostrophe* s weekly crop report *period* Rain was needed in the southwest *comma* west *dash* central and northeast regions *comma* and other regions were expected to need rain soon *period* Summerfallow crops were in fair to good condition *comma* while stubble crops were rated fair to poor *period* Wheat *comma* durum *comma* oats and barley crops were all one *dash* pct headed *comma* rye was 40 pct in the milk stage and winter wheat was 21 pct milk stage *period* Flax was 51 pct tillering *comma* and canola was 58 pct tillering *period* Areas of the southern grain belt were hit by high winds and hail Tuesday *comma* with some damage reported *period* Reuter))

(0567 (organic) 
     (JAPAN BUYS 8 *comma* 000 TONNES OF CANADIAN RAPESEED)
     (WINNIPEG *comma* June 19)
     (Japanese crushers bought 8 *comma* 000 tonnes of Canadian rapeseed for shipment from the last *dash* half of July to September *comma* trade sources said *period* Price details were not available *period* Reuter))

(0568 (financial) 
     (WORLD BANK TO LOAN JAMAICA 104 MLN DLRS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 19)
     (The World Bank said it approved loans to Jamaica totalling 104 mln dlrs to assist it with an economic structural adjustment program *comma* a sugar industry rehabilitation scheme and a population and health project *period* The bank said two loans will support Jamaica *apostrophe* s structural adjustment program *dash* *dash* a 40 mln dlr loan for the trade and financial sector and a 20 mln dlr loan for the public enterprise sector *period* The bank said a 34 mln dlr loan is to help Jamaica *apostrophe* s sugar industry become self *dash* sufficient and meet both domestic demand and the export demand of the United States and European Community *period* The fourth loan *comma* for 10 mln dlrs *comma* is to improve family planning programs and health care *period* Reuter))

(0569 (financial) 
     (CIVIL SERVICE STRIKE DELAYS U *period* K *period*  TRADE FIGURES)
     (LONDON *comma* June 19)
     (Civil service industrial action started early this month will delay the publication of May *apostrophe* s U *period* K *period* Overseas trade figures *comma* which had been due out next Thursday *comma* a Trade and Industry Department statement said *period* A department spokesman said the figures will probably be put back by about a month *period* The June trade figures *comma* due in late July *comma* will also be delayed *comma* he added *period* REUTER))

(0570 (financial) 
     (WORLD BANK LOANS HUNGARY 70 MLN DLRS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 19)
     (The World Bank said it approved a 70 mln dlr loan to Hungary to help finance a 833 *period* 1 mln dlr telecommunications project *period* The Bank noted that Hungary *comma* which until recently had given telecommunications low priority *comma* recognized that inadequate telecommunications are a serious constraint to economic development and reform *period* The project extends through 1991 and will help Magyar Posta *comma* the state enterprise overseeing the telecommunications sector *comma* meet its long *dash* term development goals *period* Reuter))

(0571 (organic) 
     (BRAZIL BUYS FRENCH WHEAT AT TENDER)
     (RIO DE JANEIRO *comma* June 19)
     (Brazil has bought 75 *comma* 000 tonnes of French wheat at tender *comma* a Brazilian Wheat Board spokesman said *period* He said the Board accepted offers for 25 *comma* 000 tonnes of wheat from grain firm J *period* Souffle at 80 *period* 49 dlrs per tonne Fob for August shipment *period* For September shipment *comma* the Board bought 25 *comma* 000 tonnes from Graniere at 79 *period* 32 dlrs per tonne Fob *comma* and for October shipment it accepted 25 *comma* 000 tonnes from Andre and Companie at 79 *period* 47 dlrs per tonne Fob *period* The next tender *comma* for Aug *slash* Sept *slash* Oct shipment *comma* was set for June 24 *comma* the spokesman said *period* Reuter))

(0572 (metal) 
     (ALCAN RAISES ALUMINUM PRICES TWO CENTS A LB)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 19 )
     (Alcan Aluminum Corp *comma* a subsidiary of Alcan Aluminium Ltd *comma* said it increased its U *period* S *period* primary aluminum prices by two cents a lb *comma* effective yesterday *period* The new prices are 72 cents a lb for ingot and 80 cents for extrusion billet *comma* the company said *period* Reuter))

(0573 (financial) 
     (WORLD BANK LOANS UGANDA 13 MLN DLRS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 19)
     (The World Bank said it has loaned Uganda 13 mln dlrs through the International Development Association *lparen* IDA *rparen* *comma* the bank *apostrophe* s concessionary lending affiliate *period* The IDA loan will support a project that hopes to preserve the country *apostrophe* s natural forests and meet its demand for wood products by rehabilitating Uganda *apostrophe* s forestry management agency *comma* the bank said *period* It also said the project plans to increase the area and management of protected forests *comma* establish pilot wood farms and nurseries *comma* and rehabilitate soft wood plantations *period* Reuter))

(0574 (financial) 
     (U *period* S *period*  BUSINESS LOANS FELL 896 MLN DLRS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 19)
     (Business loans on the books of major U *period* S *period* banks *comma* excluding acceptances *comma* fell 896 mln dlrs to 275 *period* 61 billion in the week ended June 10 *comma* the Federal Reserve Board said *period* The Fed said that business loans including acceptances fell 546 mln dlrs to 278 *period* 12 billion dlrs *period* Reuter))

(0575 (financial) 
     (VENEZUELA WANTS 2 *period* 4 BILLION DLRS EXPORT FINANCE)
     (Caracas *comma* june 19)
     (venezuela will seek 2 *period* 4 billion dollars in export financing during 1987 *comma* double the amount it received last year *comma* public finance director jorge marcano said *period* Marcano told reporters at the finance ministry yesterday that the 2 *period* 4 billion is part of a total package of 3 *period* 2 billion dlrs in new credits *comma* which venezuela will try to obtain *period* *quote* we *apostrophe* ve begun efforts to secure that financing *comma* *quote* he said *period* Reuter))

(0576 (metal) 
     (NORANDA BRUNSWICK MINERS VOTE MONDAY ON CONTRACT)
     (TORONTO *comma* June 19)
     (Noranda Inc said 1 *comma* 100 unionized workers at its 63 pct *dash* owned Brunswick Mining and Smelter Corp lead *dash* zinc mine in New Brunswick would start voting Monday on a tentative contract pact *period* Company official Andre Fortier said *quote* We are hopeful that we can settle without any kind of work interruption *period* *quote* Fortier added that Brunswick *apostrophe* s estimated 500 unionized smelter workers were currently meeting about a Noranda contract proposal and would probably vote next week *period* The mine *apostrophe* s contract expires July 1 and the smelter *apostrophe* s on July 21 *period* The Brunswick mine produced 413 *comma* 800 tonnes of zinc and 206 *comma* 000 tonnes of lead last year at a recovery rate of 70 *period* 5 pct zinc and 55 *period* 6 pct lead *period* Concentrates produced were 238 *comma* 000 tonnes of zinc and 81 *comma* 000 tonnes of lead *period* Reuter))

(0577 (metal) 
     (NO COMINCO STRIKE TALKS SCHEDULED)
     (TRAIL *comma* British Columbia *comma* June 19)
     (Cominco Ltd said no talks were scheduled with striking workers at its Trail smelter and Kimberley *comma* British Columbia lead *dash* zinc mine *period* A company spokesman said the company and union met informally Tuesday but talks did not constitute a formal bargaining session *period* The last formal talks were on June 5 *period* The workers went on strike May 9 and production has been shut down since then *period* The Trail smelter produced 240 *comma* 000 long tons of zinc and 110 *comma* 000 long tons of lead last year *period* The Sullivan mine at Kimberley produced 2 *period* 2 mln long tons of ore in 1986 *comma* most for processing at the Trail smelter *period* Reuter))

(0578 (organic) 
     (BRAZIL COULD EXPORT 19 MLN BAGS OF COFFEE -IBC)
     (BRASILIA *comma* June 19)
     (Brazil *apostrophe* s coffee exports could amount to 19 mln bags this year *comma* because of the excellent crop estimate of 35 *period* 2 mln bags *comma* an IBC spokesman said *period* He said exports could surpass the average annual 18 mln bags mark *comma* especially if the final harvest to be conducted in October and November confirms the crop at over 35 mln bags *period* He said the average limit of errors for the official crop harvest could be set at five pct above or below the first estimates officially published today *period* He said the IBC agreed with a request by producers for the Institute to ask the government for a monthly indexation of the guarantee minimum price *period* Reuter))

(0579 (petro) 
     (MEES NEWSLETTER SAYS OMAN OFFERS OIL DISCOUNTS)
     (NICOSIA *comma* June 2)
     (Oman has granted term crude oil customers retroactive discounts from official prices of 30 to 38 cents per barrel on liftings made during February *comma* March and April *comma* the weekly newsletter Middle East Economic Survey *lparen* MEES *rparen* said *period* MEES said the price adjustments *comma* arrived at through negotiations between the Omani oil ministry and companies concerned *comma* are designed to compensate for the difference between market *dash* related prices and the official price of 17 *period* 63 dlrs per barrel adopted by non *dash* OPEC Oman since February *period* REUTER))

(0580 (organic) 
     (MALAYSIAN RUBBER OUTPUT RECOVERS FROM WINTERING)
     (KUALA LUMPUR *comma* June 2)
     (Malaysian rubber production should return to normal levels this month after a hard wintering season *comma* the Malaysian Rubber Exchange and Licensing Board said in its latest review *period* *quote* As packers and remillers expect production to recover to normal levels in June *comma* sellers will remain reserved in the near future *comma* *quote* the review *comma* dated May 14 *comma* said *period* Many consumers are holding off *comma* waiting for the best time to buy *period* The market is mindful of approaching summer holidays in industrial countries and there is an air of uncertainty beyond July *comma* it said *period* It gave no figures for the output drop *period* REUTER))

(0581 (petro) 
     (SANTOS TO ACQUIRE TOTAL EXPLORATION AUSTRALIA)
     (ADELAIDE *comma* June 2)
     (Santos Ltd said it would buy from *period* Total Exploration had interests ranging from 18 *period* 75 to 25 pct in four blocks in permit ATP259P in south *dash* west Queensland *comma* Santos said in a statement *period* The Santos group stakes will rise to between 52 *period* 5 and 70 pct of the four ATP259P blocks as a result of the purchase *period* The price was not disclosed *period* Santos said a number of oil and gas fields have been discovered in the Total Exploration areas and that it regards them as having very good prospects for further discoveries *period* Total *apostrophe* s reserves amount to 75 billion cubic feet of gas and 5 *period* 5 mln barrels of oil and condensate *comma* it said *period* It said it will promote a vigorous exploration program in the areas for the rest of 1987 and in the future *period* The acquisition is the latest in a series by Santos as part of a program to expand from its origins in the South Australian Cooper Basin *period* REUTER))

(0582 (financial) 
     (UAE TRADE *comma*  CURRENT ACCOUNT SURPLUSES NARROW)
     (ABU DHABI *comma* June 2)
     (The United Arab Emirates recorded a 1986 trade surplus of 12 *period* 2 billion dirhams *comma* narrowing from 30 *period* 2 billion in 1985 *comma* the central bank *apostrophe* s latest bulletin shows *period* The central bank said the lower surplus was mainly due to the decline in the value of exports and re *dash* exports to 37 *period* 2 billion dirhams from 54 *period* 2 billion in 1985 *period* This reflected the decline in oil prices last year and difficulties in marketing UAE oil *comma* the central bank added *period* The surplus on the current account narrowed to 6 *period* 8 billion dirhams from 25 *period* 5 billion in 1985 *period* The overall balance showed a surplus of 4 *period* 8 billion after 2 *period* 6 billion in 1985 *period* REUTER))

(0583 (financial) 
     (UAE TRADE *comma*  CURRENT ACCOUNT SURPLUSES NARROW)
     (ABU DHABI *comma* June 2)
     (The United Arab Emirates *lparen* UAE *rparen* recorded a 1986 trade surplus of 12 *period* 2 billion dirhams *comma* narrowing from 30 *period* 2 billion in 1985 *comma* the central bank *apostrophe* s latest bulletin shows *period* The central bank said the lower surplus was mainly due to the decline in the value of exports and reexports to 37 *period* 2 billion dirhams from 54 *period* 2 billion in 1985 *period* This reflected the decline in oil prices last year and difficulties in marketing UAE oil *comma* the central bank added *period* The surplus on the current account narrowed to 6 *period* 8 billion dirhams from 25 *period* 5 billion in 1985 *period* The overall balance showed a surplus of 4 *period* 8 billion after 2 *period* 6 billion in 1985 *period* REUTER))

(0584 (organic) 
     (SHIP PREPARES TO LOAD WHEAT FOR FIJI AT GEELONG)
     (SYDNEY *comma* June 2)
     (The French ship Capitaine Wallis *comma* 13 *comma* 847 dwt *comma* berthed at the port of Geelong in Victoria today to load 8 *comma* 000 tonnes of urgently needed wheat for Fiji after Australian port unions partly lifted a trade embargo *comma* shipping sources said *period* The wheat is expected to be loaded tomorrow *comma* an Australian Wheat Board spokesman said *period* Reuter))

(0585 (financial) 
     (GREENSPAN SEES EVIDENCE DOLLAR FALL OVER)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 2)
     (Newly *dash* nominated Federal Reserve Board chairman Alan Greenspan said there was evidence the dollar finally had bottomed out *period* In a White House briefing Greenspan was asked by reporters if he thought the dollar had bottomed out *period* *quote* There certainly is evidence in that direction *comma* *quote* he replied *period* Reuter))

(0586 (financial) 
     (PORTUGAL CONTRACTS FOR 150 MLN ECU LOAN)
     (LISBON *comma* June 2)
     (Portugal has contracted a six *dash* year *comma* 150 mln ECU loan from a group of foreign banks led by Daiwa Europe Ltd to finance investment projects *comma* the finance ministry said *period* Interest of 7 *period* 75 pct is to be paid in annual instalments starting in 1988 *comma* ministry spokesman Luis Vilhena de Cunha said *period* The loan will first be in the form of a temporary global note and be replaced later by subscriptions of 1 *comma* 000 and 10 *comma* 000 ECUs *period* The issue price was set at 101 *period* 75 pct *period* Banque Generale du Luxembourg SA will act as listing agent and fiscal agent *comma* the spokesman added *period* REUTER))

(0587 (organic) 
     (U *period* S *period*  HOUSE PANEL VOTES TO SPEED UP CORN PAYMENTS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 2)
     (The House Agriculture Committee voted to make approximately 2 *period* 8 billion dlrs of feedgrains deficiency payments immediately instead of in the late fall *period* A similar measure was decisively defeated on the Senate floor last week *period* The bill *comma* which passed by a voice vote *comma* would allow so *dash* called Findley payments to be made immediately rather than late this year *period* Payments for 1987 *dash* 90 feedgrains crops would not be changed *period* Because the bill would move 2 *period* 8 billion dlrs of spending into fiscal 1987 from fiscal 1988 *comma* the measure is expected to meet stiff resistance in the full House *period* Reuter))

(0588 (financial) 
     (FED NOT EXPECTED TO TAKE MONEY MARKET ACTION)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 2)
     (The Federal Reserve is not expected to intervene in the government securities market to add or drain reserves at its usual intervention time this morning *comma* economists said *period* With the Federal funds rate trading comfortably at 6 *dash* 9 *slash* 16 pct *comma* down from yesterday *apostrophe* s 6 *period* 74 pct average *comma* economists said the Fed did not need to take reserve management action today *period* Reuter))

(0589 (financial) 
     (TURKISH TRADE DEFICIT WIDENS IN APRIL)
     (ANKARA *comma* June 2)
     (Turkey *apostrophe* s trade deficit widened to 382 mln dlrs in April from 275 mln in March and 273 mln in April 1986 *comma* the State Statistics Institute said *period* The deficit for the first quarter of 1987 widened to 1 *period* 23 billion dlrs from 1 *period* 20 billion a year earlier *period* April exports totalled 702 mln dlrs compared with imports of 1 *period* 08 billion *period* Exports in the first four months were worth 2 *period* 69 billion dlrs compared with imports of 3 *period* 92 billion *period* REUTER))

(0590 (petro) 
     (U *period* S *period*  ENERGY SECRETARY SEES HIGHER OIL PRICES)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 2)
     (Energy Secretary Donald Hodel said he expects oil prices to rise significantly by the year 2000 *comma* probably to around 33 dlrs a barrel in current dollars *period* *quote* I do anticipate a significant increase *lparen* by 2000 *rparen* *period* Thirty *dash* three dlrs a barrel is not unreasonable *comma* *quote* Hodel told the Senate Energy Committee *period* Hodel said the loss of some domestic oil production through the shutdown of stripper *lparen* 10 barrels a day or less *rparen* wells because of low prices was probably permanent *period* He said he was also concerned by the decline in domestic oil exploration *period* Hodel urged Congress to approve oil exploration in section 1002 of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska *period* He said geologic condtions in the area were favorable for the discovery of oil fields equal to those in nearby Prudhoe Bay *period* Reuter))

(0591 (metal) 
     (ALCAN REDUCES COST OF PLANNED SMELTER)
     (MONTREAL *comma* June 2)
     (Alcan Aluminium Ltd said it has cut the expected cost of its planned Laterriere *comma* Quebec *comma* smelter by using enhanced Grande Baie reduction technology *period* The company said the decision to use prebaked anode technolgy used at its Grande Baie *comma* Quebec *comma* and Sebree *comma* Ky *period* *comma* smelters was taken primarily for cost reasons *period* As a result *comma* it said *comma* the estimated total cost of the planned smelter will be held to 450 mln U *period* S *period* dlrs *comma* the low end of the range estimated in mid *dash* May *comma* while the cost of the first phase was cut to 150 mln dlrs from the projected 175 *dash* 225 mln dlrs *period* Reuter))

(0592 (organic) 
     (TIGHT FAR EAST FREIGHT SPACE HITS SUGAR MARKET)
     (LONDON *comma* June 2)
     (The Far Eastern sugar market is being hit by a tightening in available nearby freight space needed to move raw sugar to various destinations *comma* notably from Thailand *comma* traders said *period* This has resulted in a hardening of freight rates in those areas *period* These are now being quoted between 12 *period* 5 and 17 *period* 5 dlrs a tonne per day *comma* depending on shipment and destination *comma* against recent fixings below 12 dlrs a tonne *period* Charterers are considering combining contracted shipments because of inadequate space *comma* shipping sources said *comma* noting 13 raws cargoes are awaiting shipment from various ports *period* A cargo of Thai raw sugar was reported traded at basis July New York futures less 25 points for June *slash* July 15 shipment *comma* traders said *period* But others said this was old business *period* Reuter))

(0593 (petro) 
     (FMC CORP IN PEROXIDE VENTURE)
     (PHILADELPHIA *comma* June 2)
     (FMC Corp said it has entered into an equally owned joint venture with Indo *dash* Thai Synthetics called Thai Peroxide Co Ltd to build a hydrogen peroxide plant with an initial capacity of 5 *comma* 000 metric tonnes of 100 pct peroxide north of Bangkok *period* The company said the plant is expected to starft operating by the fourth quarter of 1988 *period* It said the venture received grants and incentives from the government of Thailand *period* Reuter))

(0594 (metal) 
     (MUELLER BRASS LOWERS PRODUCT PRICES)
     (PORT HURON *comma* MICH *period* *comma* June 2)
     (Mueller Brass Co said that effective with shipments today *comma* it is adjusting the price of all brass mill products *comma* except free *dash* cutting brass rod and related alloys and copper water tube and related products *comma* to reflect contained copper values at 73 cents a pound *comma* down two cents *period* Reuter))

(0595 (petro) 
     (ASAMERA COMPLETES REFINERY SALE)
     (CALGARY *comma* Alberta *comma* June 2)
     (Asamera Inc said wholly owned Asamera Oil *lparen* U *period* S *period* *rparen* Inc concluded the 25 *period* 25 mln U *period* S *period* dlr sale of its Denver refinery to Total Petroleum North America Ltd *period* In addition *comma* Total is purchasing crude oil and refined product inventories at market value *comma* Asamera said *period* Reuter))

(0596 (petro) 
     (TEXAS EASTERN UNIT FILES FOR NEW RATES)
     (BOSTON *comma* June 2)
     (Algonquin Gas Transmission Co *comma* a unit of Texas Eastern Corp *comma* said it has filed for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval of new rate schedules *period* It said it has also filed for proposed service agreements for interruptible and firm transportation service *period* Algonquin said the filing would allow its customers to move available spot gas supplies to price competitive markets *period* Reuter))

(0597 (organic) 
     (CCC ACCEPTS BONUS ON BARLEY TO SAUDI ARABIA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 2)
     (The Commodity Credit Corporation *comma* CCC *comma* has accepted bids for export bouses to cover sales of 150 *comma* 000 tonnes of U *period* S *period* barley to Saudi Arabia *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* The CCC accepted three bonus offers from one exporter which averaged 40 *period* 88 dlrs per tonne *comma* it said *period* The barley is for delivery August 15 *dash* November 30 in three shiments of 50 *comma* 000 tonnes each *period* The bonus awards were made to Louis Dreyfus Corporation and will be paid in the form of commodities from CCC stocks *period* An additional 350 *comma* 000 tonnes of U *period* S *period* barley are still available to Saudi Arabia under the Export Enhancement Program initiative annnounced on May 15 *comma* 1987 *comma* it said *period* Reuter))

(0598 (organic) 
     (RAINS AID MANITOBA CROPS DURING WEEK)
     (WINNIPEG *comma* June 2)
     (Widespread *comma* soaking rains aided crop development across the province *comma* with the northwest crop producing region receiving the most precipitation *comma* according to the Manitoba Agriculture weekly crop report *period* The rains replenished formerly low soil moisture reserves *comma* with reserves in all areas now rated good *comma* the report said *period* Plantings were virtually complete across the province and germination was well advanced *period* However *comma* some fields still showed spotty stands *period* Cereal crops in the southwest were 90 pct germinated *comma* with some fields already in the subsequent tillering stage *comma* it said *period* Oilseeds in the northwest region were about 80 pct emerged in many areas *comma* with other regions 50 to 70 pct emerged *period* Reuter))

(0599 (financial) 
     (U *period* S SUBCOMMITTEE APPROVES DEVELOPMENT BANK FUNDS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 2)
     (A House Banking subcommittee approved a bill authorizing U *period* S *period* contributions to the International Development Association *comma* the Asian Development Fund and the Afrian Development Bank *period* The bill authorizes 2 *period* 875 billion dlrs as the U *period* S *period* contribution to the eighth replenishment of the International Development Association *comma* 584 *period* 3 mln dlrs to the Asian Development Fund and 719 *period* 5 mln dlrs to buy 59 *comma* 648 shares of the capital stock of the African Development Bank *period* The bill *comma* which now goes to the full Banking Committee *comma* includes an amendment opposing U *period* S *period* approval of development bank loans for commodities in surplus in the world and which are intended for export *period* Reuter))

(0600 (financial) 
     (TREASURY TO PUBLISH U *period* S *period*  RESERVE ASSETS MONTHLY)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 2)
     (The Treasury Department said it would release data on U *period* S *period* reserve assets on a monthly basis from now on instead of quarterly *period* Reserve assets are held in gold *comma* special drawing rights with the Internatinal Monetary Fund *comma* foreign currencies and in a U *period* S *period* reserve position in the IMF *period* Assets totaled 46 *period* 59 billion dlrs at the end of April *comma* compared with 48 *period* 82 billion dlrs at the end of March *comma* the Treasury said *period* Reuter))

(0601 (organic) 
     (MEXICO HAS NO PLANS TO LEAVE ICO)
     (MEXICO CITY *comma* June 2)
     (Mexico has no intention of leaving the International Coffee Organization *lparen* ICO *rparen* *comma* in the event of Brazil withdrawing from the group *comma* the Mexican Coffee Institute *lparen* IMC *rparen* said *period* The IMC said in a statement the ICO is an important instrument for ensuring producers obtain an adequate price *period* Mexico currently produces around five mln 60 *dash* kilo bags of coffee per year *period* Brazil said during a meeting of coffee producers in Rio de Janeiro over the weekend that it would consider leaving the ICO if its export quota was reduced by the organization *period* Reuter))

(0602 (metal) 
     (PHELPS DODGE SEEKS TO DIVERSIFY MORE FROM COPPER)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 2)
     (Phelps Dodge Corp is prepared to make another large non *dash* copper acquisition and a deal could be struck in the near future *comma* chairman G *period* Robert Durham said *period* Durham told Reuters the company was examining potential candidates but not yet talking with any *period* Any acquisition must have a different economic cycle to copper *comma* he said *period* Phelps Dodge *comma* the largest U *period* S *period* copper producer *comma* last year paid 240 mln dlrs for Columbian Chemicals Co which makes carbon black used in rubber and tires *period* The purchase was part of a strategic plan to diversify and then match earnings between copper and non *dash* copper operations *period* The company could spend between 250 mln and 500 mln dlrs to buy another non *dash* copper firm *comma* Durham said *comma* citing 100 mln dlrs of cash and 580 mln dlrs of untapped bank credit *period* Reuter))

(0603 (organic) 
     (ALBERTA SEEDING VIRTUALLY COMPLETE)
     (CALGARY *comma* June 2)
     (Ninety *dash* six pct of Alberta and northeastern British Columbia crops have been seeded *comma* about a week ahead of the 10 year average *comma* according to the Alberta wheat pool report *period* Hard red spring wheat accounts for most acreage with 6 *period* 0 mln estimated for this year *comma* little changed from last year *period* Oats acreage of 1 *period* 95 mln is unchanged on last year and barley area of 5 *period* 9 mln is also similar to last year *period* Rapeseed planting of an estimated 3 *period* 24 mln is expected five pct up on 1986 *period* The south and south central areas of Alberta lacked moisture with germination patchy at best *period* Growth prospects in northern areas are generally in the good to very good range *period* Soil moisture is better in the north central and Peace areas *comma* the wheat pool said *period* Reuter))

(0604 (financial) 
     (NAKASONE SAYS DOLLAR FALL ONLY TEMPORARY)
     (TOKYO *comma* June 3)
     (Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone said the dollar *apostrophe* s sharp fall against the yen overnight was only temporary *period* The dollar dropped sharply in New York after news that Paul Volcker would step down as chairman of the U *period* S *period* Federal Reserve *period* Nakasone told reporters he did not expect U *period* S *period* Policy to change after Volcker steps down *period* REUTER))

(0605 (petro) 
     (SANTOS SAYS IT HAS SIGNIFICANT OIL FIND)
     (ADELAIDE *comma* June 29)
     (Santos Ltd said it had made a significant oil discovery at its Mawson One well in the Moomba block of the Cooper Basin *comma* South Australia *period* It said the well flowed oil from sands at an average rate of 1 *comma* 440 barrels per day from 2 *comma* 131 to 2 *comma* 135 metres through a 6mm choke *period* Santos said the well was cased and suspended pending further evaluation *period* But it said the proximity of the discovery to existing production facilities at the Gidgealpa South field would allow Mawson One to be brought into production rapidly *period* Santos has a 60 pct stake in the block *comma* has 30 pct and has 10 pct *period* REUTER))

(0606 (petro) 
     (UAE OIL MINISTER OTEIBA VISITS EGYPT *dash* AGENCY)
     (CAIRO *comma* June 29)
     (UAE Oil Minister Mana Said al *dash* Oteiba arrived in Alexandria last night for a visit to Egypt *comma* the national Middle East News Agency *lparen* MENA *rparen* said *period* It said Oteiba *comma* who had just attended the OPEC ministerial meeting in Vienna *comma* would stay for several days but gave no details *period* Non *dash* OPEC Egypt has pledged to restrain output to support OPEC *apostrophe* s moves to boost oil prices *period* Oil Minister Abdel Hadi Kandeel last week said Egypt plans to leave its oil production of 870 *comma* 000 barrels per day unchanged for the next five years *period* Egypt is able to produce up to one mln bpd *period* REUTER))

(0607 (financial) 
     (EIB LENDS 200 MLN FRANCS TO FRENCH RAILWAYS)
     (LUXEMBOURG *comma* June 29)
     (The European Investment Bank *lparen* EIB *rparen* said it has lent 200 mln French francs to French railways Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer *lparen* SNCF *rparen* to extend its high speed train system *period* It said in a statement that the loan will help finance the contruction of a 279 km track for high speed *quote* TGV *quote* trains between Paris and Le Mans in western France and Tours in the south west *period* The loan will also help pay for new trains *period* The EIB has already lent a total of 600 mln francs to SNCF for the high speed train system in 1985 and 1986 *period* REUTER))

(0608 (financial) 
     (PHILIPPINES TO SIGN FORMAL DEBT ACCORD IN JULY)
     (MANILA *comma* June 29)
     (The Philippines and its foreign creditor banks will sign formal documents in mid *dash* July to restructure part of its debt *comma* the Central Bank said *period* A spokesman told reporters the documents would formalise the agreement reached in March on the restructuring of 10 *period* 3 billion dlrs *comma* out of a total foreign debt of 28 *period* 2 billion *period* The interest rate spread agreed was 7 *slash* 8 of a percentage point over LIBOR *period* The spokesman gave no date for the signing *period* Manila had demanded a renegotiation after Argentina won a 13 *slash* 16 of a percentage point spread *comma* but it later dropped this demand *period* REUTER))

(0609 (organic) 
     (POLISH FARM PRICES AND COSTS TO RISE FROM JULY)
     (WARSAW *comma* June 29)
     (Polish farmers will receive price rises ranging from 13 *period* 4 pct for some crops to 23 *period* 3 pct for meat from July 1 *comma* the Finance and Agriculture ministries said *period* The state procurement price for rape will rise 13 *period* 4 pct to 5 *comma* 500 zloties per quintal *comma* while wheat and rye will go up an average 18 *period* 2 pct to 3 *comma* 100 and 2 *comma* 400 zloties per quintal *period* Pork will rise by 18 *period* 8 pct and beef 23 *period* 3 pct *period* The ministries said the new prices aimed to ensure farmers *apostrophe* profits and meet higher living costs *period* But at the same time they said fertilisers would rise by an average 50 pct *comma* animal feeds by 38 pct and tractors by 25 pct *period* REUTER))

(0610 (petro) 
     (IRAQ REJECTS NEW OPEC OIL QUOTA)
     (BAGHDAD *comma* June 29)
     (Iraq has rejected its new OPEC production quota set in Vienna for the second half of this year *comma* the official Iraqi news agency INA reported *period* It quoted Oil Minister Issam Abdul *dash* Rahim al *dash* Chalabi *comma* who returned Sunday *comma* as saying *quote* Iraq will continue to adhere to its position considering itself as not included in the agreement *period* *quote* Last December *comma* Iraq rejected its assigned first half 1987 quota of 1 *period* 466 mln bpd and demanded a share equal to the 2 *period* 255 mln bpd quota set for Iran *comma* its enemy in the nearly seven *dash* year *dash* old Gulf war *period* The accord reached by OPEC ministers in Vienna Saturday set an output ceiling of 16 *period* 6 mln bpd for the group *apostrophe* s 13 members from July to December *comma* raising Iraq *apostrophe* s share to 1 *period* 54 mln bpd and Iran *apostrophe* s to 2 *period* 369 mln *period* Reuter))

(0611 (organic) 
     (STALEY SELLS INTEREST IN SPANISH VENTURE)
     (ROLLING MEADOWS *comma* ILL *period* *comma* June 29)
     (Staley Continental Inc said it sold its 50 interest in Sociedad Iberica de Molturacion *comma* S *period* A *period* *lparen* Simsa *rparen* *comma* a soybean and sunflower seed processing company based in Madrid *comma* Spain *period* Staley *apostrophe* s investment in Simsa no longer fit its overall coporate strategy and an agreement to sell the interest was completed in May *comma* it said *period* Staley said the Simsa transaction will not have a material effect on its balance sheet *period* Reuter))

(0612 (financial) 
     (ARMISTICE ELUDES EC AND U *period* S *period*  IN SPAGHETTI WAR)
     (BRUSSELS *comma* June 29)
     (Talks between the European Community *lparen* EC *rparen* and the United States have failed to settle a trade dispute over pasta *comma* an EC Commission spokesman said *period* Diplomatic sources said the dispute could provoke new trade friction unless it was settled soon *period* Washington is insisting that the EC comply with what it regards as an unambiguous ruling from the world trade body GATT and cut export subsidies which have allowed Italy to take an increasing share of the U *period* S *period* pasta market *period* The EC provides subsidies of about 16 cents a pound on pasta exports *period* The spokeswoman said the talks foundered on the question of how much the subsidy should be cut *period* Reuter))

(0613 (metal) 
     (AMAX ZINC CO RAISES DYECAST ALLOY PRICES)
     (GREENWICH *comma* CONN *comma* June 29)
     (Amax Zinc Co *comma* a division of Amax Inc *comma* said it is increasing the price of dyecast alloys No *period* Three and No *period* Five by three cents a lb *comma* effective immediately *period* Dyecast alloy No *period* Three is now 52 *period* 5 cents a lb *comma* while alloy No *period* Five is now 53 *period* 5 cents a lb *comma* the company said *period* Reuter))

(0614 (financial) 
     (FED SETS TWO-DAY SYSTEM REPURCHASES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* June 29)
     (The Federal Reserve entered the government securities market to arrange two *dash* day repurchase agreements for system account *comma* a spokesman for the New York Fed said *period* Federal funds were trading at 6 *dash* 3 *slash* 4 pct at the time of the direct injection of temporary reserves *comma* in line with Friday *apostrophe* s 6 *period* 72 pct average *period* Reuter))

(0615 (financial) 
     (WORLD BANK LOANS TURKEY 325 MLN DLRS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 29)
     (The World Bank said it has loaned Turkey 325 mln dlrs to help support an energy sector reform program *period* The loan *dash* supported program hopes to reduce the extensive public sector involvement in the country *apostrophe* s energy production and supply *comma* the bank said *period* The loan is for 17 years *comma* including four years of grace *comma* with a variable interest rate *comma* currently 7 *period* 92 pct *comma* the bank said *period* Reuter))

(0616 (financial) 
     (MEXICO GETS 205 MLN DLRS IN WORLD BANK LOANS)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 29)
     (The World Bank said it approved two loans to Mexico totalling 205 mln dlrs to provide financial assistance to industrial companies and finance a project dealing with agricultural extension services *period* Mexico *apostrophe* s Nacional Financiera *lparen* NF *rparen* *comma* the recipient of both loans *comma* will receive 185 mln dlrs to be used to provide long *dash* term credit and equity funds to small and medium *dash* sized industrial enterprises *comma* the bank said *period* It said a 20 mln dlr loan is being made to help finance a project designed to test strategies to improve the quality and cost effectiveness of agricultural extension services *period* Reuter))

(0617 (petro) 
     (U *period* S *period* CONGRESSMAN TO SEE REAGAN ON GULF REFLAGGING)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 29)
     (U *period* S *period* House Speaker Jim Wright said he would question President Reagan tomorrow about his plan to protect Kuwaiti oil tankers with U *period* S *period* warships from attacks by Iran in the Gulf *period* House and Senate Democrats *comma* who control Congress *comma* have been critical of Reagan *apostrophe* s plan but have not decided how or if they should try to pass legislation to prohibit it *period* Wright *comma* a Texas Democrat *comma* told reporters the Administration had gone ahead with plans to reflag the Kuwaiti tankers as U *period* S *period* ships without asking Congressional leaders for their advice *period* Reuter))

(0618 (metal) 
     (U *period* S *period*  MINERALS COMMISSIONS NEW GOLD MINE)
     (DENVER *comma* June 29)
     (U *period* S *period* Minerals Exploration Co said it and Pegasus Gold Inc of Spokane *comma* Wash *comma* officially commissioned a new gold *comma* zinc and lead producing mine *period* U *period* S *period* Minerals said the new Montana Tunnels Mine near Helena *comma* Mont *comma* is expected to reach full production in August 1987 *period* U *period* S *period* Minerals said the mine is designed to operate at an average of 12 *comma* 500 tons or ore per day and is projected to produce 95 *comma* 000 ounces of gold in 1988 *comma* plus significant quantities of silver *comma* lead and zinc *period* U *period* S *period* Minerals said it has a 50 pct net profit royalty interest in the mine after payback of development costs *period* Reuter))

(0619 (financial) 
     (CANADA SETS NEW STANDBY CREDIT FACILITY)
     (OTTAWA *comma* June 29)
     (Finance Minister Michael Wilson announced amendments to Canada *apostrophe* s revolving standby credit facility with a group of Canadian banks to provide more favorable terms including a reduced commitment fee and lower *dash* cost borrowing options *period* The size of the facility has also been reduced to three billion dlrs U *period* S *period* from 3 *period* 5 billion dlrs U *period* S *period* The maturity debate of the new agreement will be June 19 *comma* 1992 *period* The move follows similar amendments last November to Canada *apostrophe* s revolving standby credit facility with international banks *period* The amendments provide a total of seven billion dlrs U *period* S *period* in standby credit *period* Reuter))

(0620 (metal) 
     (OUTOKUMPU IN COPPER DEAL WITH IBERICA DEL COBRE)
     (HELSINKI *comma* June 26)
     (Finland *apostrophe* s state *dash* owned mining company Outokumpu Oy said in a statement it was entering Spanish markets as a shareholder in Iberica del Cobre *comma* S *period* A *period* *comma* a manufacturer of copper products *period* Outokumpu will acquire 21 pct of the shares in the Spanish company and a company will be set up as an agent for Outokumpu Spain *period* The deal awaits approval by the Spanish government *period* Iberica del Cobre makes tubes *comma* rods *comma* rolled and drawn copper and alloy products and its sales of 87 *comma* 000 tonnes of output in 1986 amounted to 22 billion pesetas *period* Outokumpu *apostrophe* s turnover in 1986 was 7 *period* 58 billion markka *period* Reuter))

(0621 (financial) 
     (JAPANESE BANKS LEND 20 BILLION YEN TO GREECE)
     (ATHENS *comma* June 29)
     (The central state owned Bank of Greece said a consortium of Japanese banks will lend it 20 billion yen for use in the public sector *period* The Bank said in a statement the loan will be for 10 years with a five year grace period *period* The first five years of the loan will have a fixed interest rate *comma* slightly above the long term prime rate of the Japanese money market *comma* with an adjustment in the second five years in accordance with prevailing market rates *period* Banks in the consortium are Bank of Tokyo International Ltd *comma* Industrial Bank of Japan Ltd *comma* The Long Term Credit Bank of Japan *comma* Dai *dash* Ichi Mutual Life Insurance Co *comma* Sumitomo Bank Ltd *comma* Mitsubishi Bank Ltd *comma* Sanwa Bank and Yashouda Bank and Trust Corp *comma* the Bank of Greece said *period* REUTER))

(0622 (metal) 
     (GUNNAR GOLD (GGG *period* TO) IN VENTURE AGREEMENT)
     (CALGARY *comma* June 29)
     (Gunnar Gold Inc said it and Mill City Gold Inc signed an option and joint venture agreement with Tyranex Gold Inc on the Tyranite gold property in Ontario *period* Gunnar said it and Mill City can earn a 50 pct interest in Tyranex *apostrophe* s option to buy the Tyranite gold mine by spending up to five mln dlrs on exploration *comma* development *comma* and feasibility studies by 1990 *period* It said the companies may form a joint venture partnership to bring the mine to full commercial production *period* Reuter))

(0623 (metal) 
     (GUNNAR GOLD IN VENTURE AGREEMENT)
     (CALGARY *comma* June 29)
     (Gunnar Gold Inc said it and Mill City Gold Inc signed an option and joint venture agreement with Tyranex Gold Inc on the Tyranite gold property in Ontario *period* Gunnar said it and Mill City can earn a 50 pct interest in Tyranex *apostrophe* s option to buy the Tyranite gold mine by spending up to five mln dlrs on exploration *comma* development *comma* and feasibility studies by 1990 *period* It said the companies may form a joint venture partnership to bring the mine to full commercial production *period* Reuter))

(0624 (financial) 
     (WORLD BANK APPROVES 100 MLN DLR LOAN FOR BRAZIL)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 29)
     (The World Bank said it approved a 100 mln dlr loan to help Brazil finance the rehabilitation of the railway in Sao Paulo State and establish a institutional reform program as a base for future commercial operation *period* The 285 mln dlr project is designed to financially rehabilitate the railway *dash* *dash* the primarily state *dash* owned Ferrovia Paulista *comma* S *period* A *period* *dash* *dash* and improve transportation on the lines leading to the city of Sao Paulo and the port of Santos *period* The loan is for 14 *dash* years *comma* including three and one *dash* half years of grace *comma* and carries a variable interest rate *comma* currently 7 *period* 92 pct *comma* linked to the bank *apostrophe* s cost of borrowing *period* Reuter))

(0625 (financial) 
     (WORLD BANK APPROVES LOAN FOR BRAZIL RAILWAY)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 29)
     (The World Bank said it approved a 100 mln dlr loan to help Brazil finance the rehabilitation of the railway in Sao Paulo state and establish an institutional reform program as a base for future commercial operation *period* The 285 mln dlr project is designed to financially rehabilitate the railway *dash* *dash* the primarily state *dash* owned Ferrovia Paulista *comma* S *period* A *period* *dash* *dash* and improve transport on the lines leading to the city of Sao Paulo and the port of Santos *period* The loan is for 14 years *comma* including 3 *dash* 1 *slash* 2 years of grace *comma* and carries a variable interest rate *comma* currently 7 *period* 92 pct *comma* linked to the bank *apostrophe* s cost of borrowing *period* Reuter))

(0626 (organic) 
     (PAKISTAN ALLOWS PRIVATE COTTON *comma*  RICE EXPORTS)
     (ISLAMABAD *comma* June 29)
     (The Pakistani government allowed the private sector to export cotton and rice in a new trade policy announced to cover the next three years *period* Commerce and Planning Minister Mahbubul Haq said in a televised speech it was also decided to allow duty *dash* free import of cotton yarn *period* Cotton and rice are Pakistan *apostrophe* s main exports *comma* which have been handled exclusively by state corporations since early 1970s *period* Haq said now the private sector would export cotton and rice along with the state corporations *period* He said duty *dash* free import of cotton yarn was allowed to make high quality yarn available to local ancillary industries and to enable them to compete effectively in the world market *period* This would help overcome domestic shortages of yarn *comma* he said *period* Reuter))

(0627 (petro) 
     (VENEZUELA BUDGET SEES 16 *period* 35 DLRS OIL PRICE)
     (CARACAS *comma* June 29)
     (Venezuela *apostrophe* s government tomorrow presents a 1988 budget proposal for 183 *period* 432 billion bolivars *comma* based upon an oil price of 16 *period* 35 dlrs per barrel *comma* finance minister Manuel Azpurua said *period* Azpurua told reporters after a cabinet meeting the new budget projects ordinary income of 149 *period* 925 billion bolivars and extraordinary income of 34 *period* 186 billion *period* Oil revenues are expected to produce 92 *period* 014 billion *comma* or 61 pct of the total *period* The finance minister said the oil revenue projection is based on an average price of 16 *period* 35 dlrs per barrel in 1988 *period* Venezuelan oil through the first half of 1987 has averaged 16 *period* 20 dlrs per barrel *comma* according to the state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela *comma* S *period* A *period* Reuter))

(0628 (financial) 
     (IMF APPROVES 48 MLN DLR LOAN TO ASSIST ECUADOR)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* June 29)
     (The International Monetary Fund said it approved a 48 mln dlr loan to assist Ecuador in meeting its foreign exchange needs following the earthquakes that struck in March *period* The loan *comma* which the IMF provides countries under special circumstances *comma* is equal to 25 pct of Ecuador *apostrophe* s quota *comma* or economic standing *comma* in the Fund *period* The IMF said that according to recent estimates *comma* the earthquakes will hurt the country *apostrophe* s balance of payments this year because of the loss of oil revenues due to destruction of part of the oil pipeline *period* REUTER))

(0629 (financial) 
     (EXPORT CREDIT BANK FOUNDED BY CARIBBEAN NATIONS)
     (CASTRIES *comma* St *period* Lucia *comma* June 29)
     (Finance ministers from the 13 *dash* member Caribbean Community *lparen* Caricom *rparen* approved a draft agreement for a new export credit facility *comma* in an effort to stem the steady decline in interregional trade *period* The Caribbean Export Credit Bank *comma* scheduled to begin operations January 1 *comma* 1988 *comma* will be headquartered in Barbados *period* Its initial capital of 17 mln dlrs will come from Caricom member governments *comma* private sector donors and the Caribbean Development Bank *period* Capitalisation is projected at 60 mln dlrs with foreign aid *comma* including soft loans from international institutions *period* Caricom leaders are attending their annual meeting and high on the agenda is how to stop the decline in inter *dash* regional trade which dropped by a third last year *period* Reuter))

(0630 (financial) 
     (CHINA TO BORROW 390 MLN DLRS)
     (PEKING *comma* March 1)
     (China will receive loans totalling 390 mln dlrs from Japan and the World Bank for investment in new highways and port facilities *period* The Japan Overseas Economic Co *dash* operation Fund is to provide 260 mln dlrs towards China *quote* s plans to improve its road network *comma* the official New China News Agency reported *period* A 130 mln dlr World Bank loan will be used to build 12 new berths incorporating container handling systems at the northeast China port of Tianjin *comma* the agency said *period* It gave no details of the repayment terms of the loans *period* REUTER))

(0631 (organic) 
     (CHINESE WHEAT CROP THREATENED BY PESTS *comma*  DISEASE)
     (PEKING *comma* March 1)
     (China *apostrophe* s wheat crop this year is seriously threatened by plant pests and diseases *comma* the New China News Agency said *period* More than 5 mln hectares of wheat *dash* producing land in North China could be affected because relatively warm and dry weather had allowed bacteria and insect eggs to survive the winter *comma* the agency added *period* China *quote* s Ministry of Agriculture *comma* Animal Husbandry and Fisheries has called for measures including the timely supply of pesticides to farmers to combat the threat *comma* it said *period* REUTER))

(0632 (financial) 
     (BANGLADESH MOVES AGAINST LOAN DEFAULTERS)
     (DHAKA *comma* March 1)
     (Bangladesh police mounted a cross *dash* country hunt for defaulters on bank loans *comma* arresting four industrialists and issuing arrest warrants against 50 others for failure to repay overdue obligations *period* No names were given *period* Metropolitan police told reporters the four arrested *comma* put under six month pre *dash* trial detention *comma* owed nearly 50 *period* 7 mln taka *dash* *dash* the equivalent of about 1 *period* 7 mln dlrs *dash* *dash* to Bangladesh Shilpa *lparen* Industrial *rparen* Bank *period* President Hossain Mohammad Ershad has said non *dash* payers are crippling the industrial sector *period* But the Chamber of Commerce and industry said the crackdown would scare away entrepreneurs *period* REUTER))

(0633 (organic) 
     (CANADA-EGYPT WHEAT NEGOTIATIONS TO CONTINUE)
     (CAIRO *comma* March 2)
     (Canadian and Egyptian wheat negotiators failed to conclude an agreement on Canadian wheat exports to Egypt during talks last week *comma* but the Canadian team will return to Cairo for further negotiations *comma* Canadian embassy officials said *period* An embassy official declined to identify which issues remained to be resolved and when the talks would resume *period* In a five *dash* year protocol signed in 1985 *comma* Cairo agreed to purchase 500 *comma* 000 tonnes of Canadian wheat a year *period* REUTER))

(0634 (organic) 
     (INDONESIAN WHEAT IMPORTS EXPECTED TO FALL IN 1987)
     (JAKARTA *comma* March 2)
     (Indonesia *apostrophe* s wheat imports are expected to fall to 1 *period* 5 mln tonnes in calendar 1987 from 1 *period* 69 mln in 1986 *comma* the U *period* S *period* Embassy *apostrophe* s annual agriculture report said *period* It said the drop was expected *comma* because there will be a drawdown on stocks built up near the end of 1986 *period* It said wheat stocks at the end of 1986 were 390 *comma* 000 tonnes *comma* up from 223 *comma* 000 at end *dash* 1985 *period* It forecast end *dash* 1987 stocks at around 290 *comma* 000 tonnes *period* The main suppliers in 1986 were Australia *lparen* 44 pct *rparen* *comma* the U *period* S *period* *lparen* 29 pct *rparen* *comma* Canada *lparen* 12 pct *rparen* *comma* Argentina *lparen* 8 pct *rparen* and Saudi Arabia *lparen* 5 pct *rparen* *period* REUTER))

(0635 (organic) 
     (JAPAN MAY INCREASE ITS BRAZILIAN SOYBEAN PURCHASES)
     (TOKYO *comma* March 11)
     (Japanese crushers are likely to buy at least 200 *comma* 000 tonnes of Brazilian soybeans this year and another 100 *comma* 000 to 200 *comma* 000 if quality and shipping conditions are good against 128 *comma* 089 tonnes in 1986 *comma* trade sources said *period* A Japanese trading house recently bought about 31 *comma* 000 tonnes of soybeans for April 10 *slash* May 10 shipment *comma* they said *period* *quote* Because Brazilian soybean prices are now some 10 cents a bushel cheaper than U *period* S *period* Origin due to the bumper harvest *comma* it is highly likely that Japanese crushers will increase their buying volume *comma* *quote* one source said *period* Brazilian beans are available to Japan for shipment from May to July *period* REUTER))

(0636 (organic) 
     (JAPAN CRUSHERS START APRIL U *period* S *period*  SOYBEAN BUYING)
     (TOKYO *comma* March 11)
     (Japanese crushers *comma* starting to buy U *period* S *period* Soybeans for April shipment *comma* have recently made purchases of some 48 *comma* 000 tonnes *comma* trade sources said *period* The sources said they could not estimate the total volume to be purchased for April shipping because Japan *apostrophe* s crushing program for April and June is unclear *period* They had predicted earlier that crushers *apostrophe* April shipment U *period* S *period* Bean purchases would drop to 260 *comma* 000 to 270 *comma* 000 from the monthly average of 300 *comma* 000 to 330 *comma* 000 tonnes due to low soybean meal prices *period* REUTER))

(0637 (metal) 
     (JAPAN AND THAILAND TO JOINTLY EXTRACT RARE METALS)
     (TOKYO *comma* March 11)
     (Japan *apostrophe* s Agency of Natural Resources and Energy said it will begin experiments with Thailand at the end of March to start commercial production of rare metals in 1989 under a joint project *period* An agency official said it will set up a 500 mln yen pilot plant in Bangkok which will extract high quality rare metals such as titanium and niobium from sand left over from tin production processes in Thailand *period* The plant wilq use about a tonne of sand per day *comma* although it is unclear how much rare metal will be extracted *comma* the official said *period* REUTER))

(0638 (financial) 
     (HUNGARY TO DEVALUE FORINT AGAINST WESTERN UNITS)
     (BUDAPEST *comma* March 11)
     (Hungary is to devalue the forint by an average of eight pct against Western currencies *comma* the official news agency MTI said *period* MTI did not say when the devaluation would become effective *comma* but it expected new rates to be announced later today *period* Hungary devalued the forint by a similar amount last September 23 *period* Western bankers say the forint is more realistically valued than currencies of Hungary *apostrophe* s COMECON allies *period* REUTER))

(0639 (organic) 
     (TAIWAN TO TENDER FOR 27 *comma* 000 TONNES U *period* S *period*  SOYBEANS)
     (TAIPEI *comma* March 11)
     (The joint committee of Taiwan *apostrophe* s soybean importers will tender March 12 for a 27 *comma* 000 tonne cargo of U *period* S *period* Soybeans for March 20 to April 5 delivery *comma* a committee spokesman told Reuters *period* Taiwan *apostrophe* s soybean imports in calendar 1987 are provisionally set at 1 *period* 81 mln tonnes compared with a revised 1 *period* 74 mln tonnes imported last year *period* The 1 *period* 74 mln tonne figure was revised from 1 *period* 76 mln tonnes *period* Taiwan imports all its soybeans from the United States *period* REUTER))

(0640 (financial) 
     (DAEWOO UNIT RAISES 45 MLN DLR LOAN)
     (HONG KONG *comma* March 11)
     (of South Korea will sign a 45 mln U *period* S *period* Dlr loan tomorrow through its Hong Kong unit *comma* lead manager Banque Nationale de Paris said *period* The three *dash* year loan *comma* which will carry interest at 1 *slash* 2 percentage point over London interbank offered rate *comma* will be borrowed under the name of *period* The loan will be used mainly to finance repayment of the the company *apostrophe* s other borrowings *period* The other lead managers are Arab Banking Corp *comma* Bank of Tokyo Ltd and KEB *lparen* Asia *rparen* Finance Ltd *period* There are 24 managers and five participants *period* REUTER))

(0641 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET SHORTAGE FORECAST AT 300 MLN STG)
     (LONDON *comma* March 11)
     (The Bank of England said it forecast a liquidity shortage of around 300 mln stg in the market today *period* Among the main factors *comma* the Bank said bills maturing in official hands and the treasury bill take *dash* up would drain 483 mln stg from the system while below target bankers *apostrophe* balances and a rise in the note circulation would take out 50 mln and 100 mln stg respectively *period* Partially offsetting these *comma* exchequer transactions would add around 355 mln stg *comma* the Bank added *period* REUTER))

(0642 (financial) 
     (BELGIAN CENTRAL BANK BUYS CURRENCY TO REPAY DEBT)
     (BRUSSELS *comma* March 11)
     (The Belgian National Bank bought foreign currencies against francs on the open market in the week ended March 9 *comma* a Bank spokesman said *period* In line with central bank policy he declined to give any details of the amount bought *period* The foreign currency purchased was used by the Treasury to repay foreign debt and did not affect the Bank *apostrophe* s foreign exchange reserves *period* They slipped 394 mln francs to 37 *period* 33 billion *comma* mostly due to sales of dollars for Special Drawing Rights *comma* the spokesman said *period* REUTER))

(0643 (organic) 
     (SAUDI ARABIA BUYS 5 *comma* 000 TONNES RBD PALM OLEIN)
     (LONDON *comma* March 11)
     (Saudi Arabia bought 5 *comma* 000 tonnes of refined bleached deodorised palm olein at its import tender yesterday for April 16 *slash* 25 shipment at 353 dlrs per tonne cost and freight Jeddah *comma* traders said *period* REUTER))

(0644 (petro) 
     (OIL FIRMS CUT 1987 INDONESIAN EXPLORATION SPENDING)
     (JAKARTA *comma* March 11)
     (Foreign oil companies will spend less on exploration in Indonesia this year than last *comma* budgeting 2 *period* 7 billion dlrs for calendar 1987 against 1986 spending of 2 *period* 8 billion dlrs *comma* the state oil company Pertamina said *period* Actual spending last year fell short of the budgeted figure of 3 *period* 2 billion dlrs *comma* as oil companies slashed expenditure because of the crash in world oil prices *period* Jumardi Jukardi *comma* head of Pertamina *apostrophe* s coordinating board for foreign contractors *comma* said foreign companies will drill 110 exploration wells and 431 development wells this year *comma* against 108 and 330 last year *period* REUTER))

(0645 (financial) 
     (JAPANESE 150 BILLION YEN LOAN FOR INDONESIA)
     (TOKYO *comma* March 11)
     (Indonesia signed an agreement to borrow up to 150 billion yen in an untied yen loan from Japan *apostrophe* s governmental Export *dash* Import Bank *comma* a bank spokesman said *period* The accord on the loan for Indonesia *apostrophe* s 21 development projects was signed by the visiting Indonesian Finance Minister Radius Prawiro and Ex *dash* Im President Takashi Tanaka *comma* the spokesman said *period* The loan will be the bank *apostrophe* s first untied loan to an Asian country in co *dash* financing with the World Bank *comma* but it will not be tied to purchase of Japanese goods or services *comma* he said *period* REUTER))

(0646 (financial) 
     (HUNGARY TO DEVALUE FORINT AGAINST WESTERN UNITS)
     (BUDAPEST *comma* March 11)
     (Hungary is to devalue the forint by an average of eight pct against Western currencies *comma* the official news agency MTI said *period* MTI did not say when the devaluation would become effective *comma* but it expected new rates to be announced later today *period* Hungary devalued the forint by a similar amount last September 23 *period* Western bankers say the forint is more realistically valued than currencies of Hungary *apostrophe* s COMECON allies *period* REUTER))

(0647 (financial) 
     (BANK OF ENGLAND DOES NOT INTERVENE IN MONEY MARKET)
     (LONDON *comma* March 11)
     (The Bank of England said it did not operate in the money market during the morning *period* Initially *comma* the bank forecast a liqudity shortage of some 300 mln stg for the market today *period* Overnight interbank sterling traded at the 11 *dash* 1 *slash* 4 1 *slash* 8 pct level for most of the morning while period rates have eased on the strength of sterling *comma* dealers said *period* At 1200 gmt *comma* sterling *apostrophe* s trade *dash* weighted index was up 0 *period* 6 at 72 *period* 7 *period* REUTER))

(0648 (financial) 
     (SWISS SIGHT DEPOSITS FALL 2 *period* 88 BILLION FRANCS)
     (ZURICH *comma* March 11)
     (Sight deposits of commercial banks at the Swiss National Bank fell 2 *period* 88 billion Swiss francs in the first 10 days of March to 7 *period* 65 billion *comma* the National Bank said *period* Foreign exchange reserves rose 3 *period* 30 billion francs to 33 *period* 94 billion *period* Sight deposits are a major indicator of money market liquidity in Switzerland *period* The National Bank said banks paid back 5 *period* 5 billion francs of central bank credit taken out at the end of February for the end *dash* month liquidity requirement *period* This drain was offset in part by new currency swaps *comma* which had the effect of increasing the National Bank *apostrophe* s foreign exchange holdings *period* Bank notes in circulation fell 309 *period* 1 mln francs to 24 *period* 49 billion *comma* and other deposits on call *dash* *dash* basically government funds *dash* *dash* rose 1 *period* 06 billion to 2 *period* 10 billion *period* REUTER))

(0649 (organic) 
     (ALGERIA REGULATES USE OF COFFEE ADDITIVES)
     (ALGIERS *comma* March 11)
     (The Algerian authorities have regulated the addition of chickpeas and barley used to make imported coffee go further *comma* the official APS news agency reported *period* Taking advantage of scarcity *comma* private roasters were selling ground coffee mixtures which were 75 pct non *dash* coffee *comma* it said *period* Since the beginning of March *comma* the coffee market has been strictly regulated by the state food marketing monopoly Enapal *period* Now a third of imported coffee will be sold as pure beans and two thirds as a ground mixture with a choice of 30 pct chickpeas or 30 pct barley *period* In March private dealers will handle 2 *comma* 050 tonnes of pure coffee and Enapal 6 *comma* 050 tonnes of mixtures *period* Reuter))

(0650 (organic) 
     (AGENCY TO REVIEW JOHNSON *slash* JOHNSON SWEETNER)
     (NEW BRUNSWICK *comma* March 11)
     (Johnson and Johnson said the U *period* S *period* Food and Drug Administration has notified the company its food additive petition for a high *dash* intensity sweetener has been formally accepted and now will be reviewed by the agency *period* The company said the product *comma* with the generic name of sucralose *comma* is made from sugar and tastes like sugar *comma* but is about 600 times sweeter *period* It yields no calories and does not promote tooth decay *period* Reuter))

(0651 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET GIVEN 106 MLN STG ASSISTANCE)
     (LONDON *comma* March 11)
     (The Bank of England said it gave the money market assistance worth 106 mln stg this afternoon *comma* buying bank bills at the rates established on Monday *period* The Bank bought 11 mln stg of band one bills at 10 *dash* 3 *slash* 8 pct and 95 mln stg of band two paper at 10 *dash* 5 *slash* 16 pct *period* This is the first time that it has intervened today *period* The Bank has revised its estimate of the liquidity shortage in the market down to 250 mln stg from 300 mln initially *period* REUTER))

(0652 (organic) 
     (HOG AND CATTLE SLAUGHTER GUESSTIMATES)
     (CHICAGO *comma* March 11)
     (Chicago Mercantile Exchange floor traders and commission house representatives are guesstimating today *apostrophe* s hog slaughter at about 295 *comma* 000 to 308 *comma* 000 head versus 305 *comma* 000 week ago and 308 *comma* 000 a year ago *period* Cattle slaughter is guesstimated at about 128 *comma* 000 to 132 *comma* 000 head versus 130 *comma* 000 week ago and 126 *comma* 000 a year ago *period* Reuter))

(0653 (petro) 
     (ECUADOR OFFICIAL SEEKS OIL AID IN VENEZUELA)
     (CARACAS *comma* March 11)
     (Ecuador *apostrophe* s deputy energy minister Fernando Santos Alvite arrived here last night for talks on further Venezuelan assistance to his country *apostrophe* s oil industry following last week *apostrophe* s earthquake *comma* officials said *period* Ecuador was obliged to suspend crude oil exports for an expected five months as a result of damage to 25 miles of pipeline linking its jungle oil fields with the Pacific port of Balao *period* Oil normally accounts for 60 pct of its exports *period* Fellow OPEC member Venezuela has already agreed to lend Ecuador five mln barrels of crude *comma* to be repaid in kind after 180 days *comma* to help meet its domestic consumption needs *period* Reuter))

(0654 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET GIVEN LATE HELP OF 240 MLN STG)
     (LONDON *comma* March 11)
     (The Bank of England said it provided the money market with unspecified late assistance of around 240 mln stg *period* This brings its total assistance on the day to 346 mln stg compared with a liquidity shortfall it estimated at a revised 250 mln stg *period* Overnight interbank sterling was being offered at eight pct shortly after the Bank *apostrophe* s announcement *period* REUTER))

(0655 (financial) 
     (SPAIN QUALIFIES RESERVE REQUIREMENTS STATEMENT)
     (MADRID *comma* March 11)
     (A Bank of Spain spokesman qualified a bank statement announcing an extension of reserve requirements to convertible peseta funds held by banks *comma* saying the move applied only to future rises above current balances *period* *quote* The 19 pct reserve requirement will only be applied to further increases in bank *apostrophe* s convertible peseta funds *comma* *quote* the spokesman said *period* Convertible peseta funds previously were exempt from reserve requirements *period* The spokesman said the measure was intended to curb an influx of short *dash* term foreign speculative capital which threatened the government *apostrophe* s money supply growth target *period* REUTER))

(0656 (financial) 
     (SPAIN *quote* S MONEY SUPPLY GROWTH DOUBLES IN FEBRUARY)
     (MADRID *comma* March 11)
     (Spain *apostrophe* s broad based M *dash* 4 money supply rose at an annualised rate of 16 *period* 7 pct in February against 8 *period* 1 pct in January and 22 *period* 4 pct in February last year *comma* Bank of Spain figures show *period* The broad *dash* based money supply is measured as liquid assets in public hands plus quasi *dash* monetary assets *period* Money supply growth was 11 *period* 4 pct last year *period* The government wants to reduce the rate to eight pct this year *period* REUTER))

(0657 (financial) 
     (ROBERT HALMI GETS FIVE MLN DLR CREDIT LINE)
     (NEW YORK *comma* March 11)
     (Robert Halmi Inc said it has received a commitment for a five mln dlr revolving credit line from Wells Fargo and Co *period* It said it will use funds for the development and production of television programming *period* Reuter))

(0658 (financial) 
     (DEALERS WARY OVER STERLING INTERVENTION RUMOUR)
     (LONDON *comma* March 11)
     (Foreign exchange market rumours that the the Bank of England has been selling sterling to halt its rise prompted a wary response from dealers who said they saw no obvious confirmation *comma* market sources said *period* Bank of England officials were not immediately available for comment *period* Earlier this week *comma* the Bank sanctioned a cut in bank interest rates in a surprise move *comma* which aimed at limiting sterling *apostrophe* s rise ahead of the March 17 budget *period* But today the pound has strengthened to 72 *period* 7 on its trade *dash* weighted index from 72 *period* 1 last night *comma* though the U *period* K *period* Currency is below its day *apostrophe* s high against the dollar *period* REUTER))

(0659 (financial) 
     (INTERCO ESTABLISHES 50 MLN DLR REVOLVING FACILITY)
     (LONDON *comma* March 11)
     (Missouri *dash* based Interco Inc is establishing a 50 mln dlr *comma* five year revolving credit facility *comma* Swiss Bank Corp International Ltd said as arranger *period* The facility allows for eurodollar and swingline advances up to 50 mln dlrs and also has an uncommitted option for short *dash* term *comma* multi *dash* currency advances *period* The margin for eurodollar advances is 20 basis points over London Interbank Offered Rates *lparen* LIBOR *rparen* and there is a utilisation fee of five basis points per annum if utilisation exceeds 50 pct *period* Swiss Bank Corp said that the facility pays a commitment fee of 10 basis points per annum on undrawn amounts *period* It has been syndicated on a club basis and signing is planned by the end of March *period* Interco is a manufacturer and retailer of consumer products and services *period* REUTER))

(0660 (organic) 
     (LICHT SEES RISE IN EUROPEAN BEET AREA *colon*  TRADE)
     (LONDON *comma* March 11)
     (West German sugar statistician F *period* O *period* Licht estimates European beet plantings this year at 7 *period* 22 mln hectares compared with a revised 1986 figure of 7 *period* 21 mln *comma* traders said *period* In its first estimate for 1987 *comma* it puts EC plantings at 1 *period* 85 mln hectares compared with 1 *period* 89 mln in 1986 *comma* while it estimates sowings in Western Europe *lparen* including EC *rparen* at 2 *period* 49 mln hectares compared with 2 *period* 50 mln in 1986 *period* Traders said Licht forecasts Eastern Europe plantings at 4 *period* 73 mln hectares against 4 *period* 72 mln in 1986 *period* Reuter))

(0661 (financial) 
     (FED EXPECTED TO ADD RESERVES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* March 11)
     (The Federal Reserve is expected to intervene in the government securities market to add temporary reserves via customer or system repurchase agreements *comma* economists said *period* Most economists said the Fed will inject reserves indirectly via customer repurchases *comma* but they added that the Fed might opt for a direct injection of reserves via overnight system repurchases *period* Federal funds opened at 6 *dash* 3 *slash* 8 pct and eased to 6 *dash* 5 *slash* 16 pct in early trading *period* Funds averaged 6 *period* 29 pct yesterday *period* Reuter))

(0662 (organic) 
     (GERMAN SUGAR OFFERS PUT AT ABOUT 100 *comma* 000 TONNES)
     (HAMBURG *comma* March 11)
     (The West German intervention board said about 100 *comma* 000 tonnes of sugar have been offered into intervention so far *period* A spokesman *comma* speaking from Frankfurt *comma* told Reuters offers have increased recently but contracts have not yet been concluded *period* A European Commission spokesman in Brussels earlier confirmed that one mln tonnes of sugar had been offered to intervention boards in various member states *period* The intervention board spokesman in Frankfurt said *comma* *quote* One million tonnes is an awful lot and the Community *apostrophe* s coffers are almost empty *period* This could turn into a serious political problem *period* *quote* West German trade sources said they believed the one mln tonne offer by the EC sugar industry into intervention would have a neutral market impact overall *period* Reuter))

(0663 (financial) 
     (FED ADDS RESERVES VIA CUSTOMER REPURCHASES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* March 11)
     (The Federal Reserve entered the U *period* S *period* Government securities market to arrange two billion dlrs of customer repurchase agreements *comma* a Fed spokesman said *period* Dealers said Federal funds were trading at 6 *dash* 5 *slash* 16 pct when the Fed began its temporary and indirect supply of reserves to the banking system *period* Reuter))

(0664 (organic) 
     (CHINA BUYS U *period* S *period*  HARD AND SOFT WHEAT)
     (CHICAGO *comma* March 11)
     (Private exporters said China bought a total of 550 *comma* 000 tonnes of U *period* S *period* wheat under the export enhancement program *comma* with final confirmation by the U *period* S *period* Department of Agriculture of the subsidies still awaited *period* The purchase consisted of a total of 340 *comma* 000 tonnes of hard red winter wheat for various May *slash* Aug shipments *comma* with 210 *comma* 000 tonnes of soft red winter for Aug *slash* Sept *comma* the exporters said *period* Reuter))

(0665 (petro) 
     (MITCHELL ENERGY AGAIN CUTS CAPITAL OUTLAYS)
     (THE WOODLANDS *comma* Texas *comma* March 11)
     (Mitchell Energy and Development Corp said it plans to hold its capital spending in fiscal 1988 *comma* ending January 31 *comma* to 96 mln dlrs *comma* down from the 123 mln dlrs spent in 1987 and 213 mln dlrs in 1986 *period* The company also said its natural gas revenues so far this year have been reduced by lower contract customer purchases due to mild weather and soft economic conditions *period* *quote* But the contracts call for the lower *apostrophe* takes *apostrophe* to be made up during the course of the year *comma* *quote* Mitchell Energy said *period* Meanwhile it will sell additional quantities of gas on the spot market *period* Mitchell Energy said the additional spot sales will tend to lower the average price realized for gas in the early part of fiscal 1988 *period* However *comma* it said the average for the full year is not expected to be significantly lower than the 2 *period* 99 dlrs per thousand cubic feet averaged in fiscal 1987 *period* Reuter))

(0666 (financial) 
     (EC CONCERNED OVER U *period* S *period*  TEXTILE IMPORT MOVES)
     (BRUSSELS *comma* March 11)
     (The European Community *lparen* EC *rparen* expressed disquiet over protectionist moves in the United States to limit imports of textiles and said it would retaliate immediately if EC exports were hit *period* A spokeswoman for the EC Commission said EC External Trade Commissioner Willy De Clercq had written to his U *period* S *period* Counterpart *comma* special U *period* S *period* Trade Representative Clayton Yeutter *comma* outlining the concerns of the 12 *dash* nation Community *period* The draft legislation under consideration by Congress would impose permanent quotas on products entering the U *period* S *period* and seek to limit any increase to a growth in the overall trade *period* Reuter))

(0667 (metal) 
     (BRITAIN TO MINT NEW "BRITANNIA" GOLD COIN)
     (LONDON *comma* March 11)
     (Britain will from next autumn mint and market a new bullion coin called the *quote* Britannia *quote* containing one ounce of 24 carat gold *comma* together with bullion coins of smaller denominations *comma* a Treasury official said *period* The new investment coin *comma* to be sold worldwide *comma* will fluctuate in price according to the international price of gold *period* The smaller coins will be in denominations of a half ounce *comma* a quarter ounce and a tenth of an ounce *period* REUTER))

(0668 (financial) 
     (CORRECTED *dash* AUSTRIA 1987 GROWTH FORECAST REVISED)
     (VIENNA *comma* March 11)
     (Austrian gross domestic product growth for this year is likely to be between 0 *period* 5 and 1 *period* 5 pct *comma* Helmut Kramer *comma* head of the semi *dash* official Institute for Economic Research *lparen* WIFO *rparen* said *period* This compared with a two pct growth forecast made by the WIFO last December *period* Kramer made the forecast at a meeting today on Austria *apostrophe* s economic outlook also attended by Chancellor Franz Vranitzky *comma* Finance Minister Ferdinand Lacina and National Bank President Stefan Koren *period* REUTER))

(0669 (petro) 
     (JORDAN-PETROCANADA AGREE OIL EXPLORATION PROJECT)
     (AMMAN *comma* March 11)
     (A two *dash* year project to search for oil and gas in Jordan was agreed in Amman by Jordan *apostrophe* s Natural Resources Authority *lparen* NRA *rparen* and the Canadian company *comma* Petrocanada International Assistance Corporation *lparen* PCIAC *rparen* *period* The 19 *period* 1 mln dlr assistance agreement was signed by Jordan *apostrophe* s Minister of Energy Hisham al *dash* Khatib and PCIAC chairman Peter M *period* Towe *period* PCIAC is a Canadian government corporation providing assistance to countries like Jordan to reduce their dependence on oil imports *comma* Towe said *period* Reuter))

(0670 (organic) 
     (DOLE MULLS BILL TO EXTEND ETHANOL TAX EXEMPTION)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* March 11)
     (U *period* S *period* Senate Republican leader Robert Dole *lparen* R *dash* Kan *period* *rparen* said he and a group of Republican lawmakers are considering introducing legislation to extend the ethanol tax exemption through the year 2000 *period* Dole *comma* addressing the National Corn Growers Association board *comma* said the proposal was under consideration by a rural task force of Republican members of Congress and governors *period* Gasoline containing at least 10 pct ethanol now receives a six cents per gallon exemption from a nine cent federal excise tax *period* The exemption is to expire the end of 1992 *period* Ethanol is produced primarily by a few large agribusiness firms including Archer Daniels Midland *lparen* ADM *rparen* and A *period* E *period* Staley *period* The tax exemption has helped bolster ethanol production despite a sharp drop in the prices of competing crude oil *period* Reuter))

(0671 (organic) 
     (CFTC APPROVES MGE CORN SYRUP FUTURES CONTRACT)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* March 11)
     (The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has approved the Minneapolis Grain Exchange *apostrophe* s application to trade high fructose corn syrup *dash* 55 *comma* HFCS *dash* 55 *comma* futures contracts *comma* the commission said *period* The contract provides for the delivery of 48 *comma* 000 lbs *comma* plus or minus two pct *comma* of bulk HFCS *dash* 55 meeting specified standards regarding its physical and chemical properties *period* CFTC said the exchange plans to begin trading a July 1987 HFCS *dash* 55 contract on April 6 *period* CFTC said the soft drink industry currently buys at least 95 pct of all U *period* S *period* *dash* produced HFCS *dash* 55 *comma* a liquid food and beverage sweetener produced through the processing of corn starch by corn refiners *period* Reuter))

(0672 (organic) 
     (AIDE SAYS FRANCE SUPPORTS OIL AND FATS TAX)
     (PARIS *comma* March 11)
     (France supports the European Commission *apostrophe* s plans for a European Community *lparen* EC *rparen* fats and oils tax but objects to some of its oilseeds proposals *comma* Yves Van Haecke *comma* an aide to French agriculture minister Francois Guillaume said *period* He told a general assembly of France *apostrophe* s Oilseeds Federation *lparen* FFCOP *rparen* that a suppression of monthly increases of oilseed support prices *comma* for example *comma* was unacceptable *period* French oilseeds experts added the principle of a single tax regardless of varying quality was clumsy and capable of unneccessarily alienating exporters such as the U *period* S *period* Reuter))

(0673 (organic) 
     (USDA ACCEPTS BONUS WHEAT OFFERS FOR CHINA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* March 11)
     (The Commodity Credit Corp *lparen* CCC *rparen* has accepted bids for export bonuses to cover sales of 340 *comma* 000 tonnes of hard red winter wheat and 210 *comma* 000 tonnes of soft red winter wheat to China *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* The bonuses awarded averaged 36 *period* 22 dlrs per tonne *comma* and the wheat is scheduled for delivery during May *dash* Oct 1987 *period* The bonus awards were made to Cargill *comma* Inc *lparen* 305 *comma* 000 tonnes *rparen* *comma* Continental Grain Co *lparen* 155 *comma* 000 tonnes *rparen* *comma* Mitsubishi International Corp *lparen* 60 *comma* 000 tonnes *rparen* and Richco Grain Co *lparen* 30 *comma* 000 tonnes *rparen* *period* Bonuses will be paid to the exporters in the form of commodities from CCC stocks *period* The purchases complete the Export Enhancement Program initiative for China announced Jan 26 *period* Reuter))

(0674 (financial) 
     (ROBERT HALMI INC OBTAINS REVOLVING CREDIT)
     (NEW YORK *comma* March 11)
     (Robert Halmi Inc said it obtained a five mln dlr line of revolving credit from Wells Fargo Bank available through February 29 *comma* 1988 *period* Halmi said the funds will be used for the development and production of television programming and for regular company business *period* Halmi said it reported earnings of 2 *comma* 800 *comma* 000 dlrs in fiscal year 1986 ended May *comma* 1986 *comma* on sales of 17 *period* 2 mln dlrs *period* Reuter))

(0675 (financial) 
     (TREASURY BALANCES AT FED FELL ON MARCH 10)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* March 11)
     (Treasury balances at the Federal Reserve fell on March 10 to 2 *period* 842 billion dlrs from 3 *period* 073 billion dlrs the previous business day *comma* the Treasury said in its latest budget statement *period* Balances in tax and loan note accounts fell to 9 *period* 828 billion dlrs from 11 *period* 418 billion dlrs on the same respective days *period* The Treasury *apostrophe* s operating cash balance totaled 12 *period* 670 billion dlrs on March 10 compared with 14 *period* 490 billion dlrs on March 9 *period* Reuter))

(0676 (organic) 
     (U *period* S *period*  CORN DEMAND GROWING IN JAPAN *comma*  SOUTH KOREA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* March 11)
     (The recent purchase of 1 *period* 5 mln tonnes of U *period* S *period* corn by Japan and 600 *comma* 000 tonnes by South Korea suggests that the two countries *apostrophe* demand for reliable supplies of corn is increasing *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* In its World Production and Trade Report *comma* the department said that view is reinforced by the expectation of a decline in exportable supplies of Argentine corn and uncertainty over the availability of South African and Chinese corn *period* With these corn purchases *comma* Japan is committed to buying 7 *period* 7 mln tonnes of U *period* S *period* corn in 1986 *slash* 87 *lparen* Sept *dash* Aug *rparen* *comma* nearly 400 *comma* 000 tonnes greater than year *dash* ago figures to date *period* South Korea *apostrophe* s cumulative commitments amount to 2 *period* 5 mln tonnes *comma* up 1 *period* 5 mln compared to last year *comma* it said *period* Reuter))

(0677 (organic) 
     (MEXICO VEG OIL TAX NOT AIMED AT SUNFLOWER--USDA)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* March 11)
     (The Mexican Secretariat of Commerce has told the U *period* S *period* that recent implementation of a 10 pct ad valorem tariff for fixed vegetable oils *comma* fluid or solid *comma* crude *comma* refined or purified *comma* was not targeted at sunflower oil *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* In its World Production and Trade Report *comma* the department said the increase in tariffs on this category which includes sunflower *comma* corn and rapeseed oils *comma* was a reaction to importers using basket categories to avoid paying tariffs on specific high *dash* tariff products *period* Reuter))

(0678 (petro) 
     (EIA SAYS DISTILLATE *comma*  GAS STOCKS OFF IN WEEK)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* March 11)
     (Distillate fuel stocks held in primary storage fell by 8 *period* 8 mln barrels in the week ended March six to 119 *period* 6 mln barrels *comma* the Energy Information Administration *lparen* EIA *rparen* said *period* In its weekly petroleum status report *comma* the Department of Energy agency said gasoline stocks were off 500 *comma* 000 barrels in the week to 251 *period* 0 mln barrels and refinery crude oil stocks fell 1 *period* 2 mln barrels to 331 *period* 8 mln *period* The EIA said residual fuel stocks fell 1 *period* 5 mln barrels to 36 *period* 4 mln barrels and crude oil stocks in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve *lparen* SPR *rparen* rose 200 *comma* 000 barrels to 516 *period* 7 mln *period* The total of all crude *comma* refined product and SPR stocks fell 10 *period* 3 mln barrels to 1 *comma* 564 *period* 8 *comma* it said *period* Reuter))

(0679 (petro) 
     (USX UNIT TO RAISE MOST CRUDE POSTINGS)
     (NEW YORK *comma* March 11)
     (USX *apostrophe* s subsidiary *comma* Marathon Petroleum Co *comma* said it will raise its contract prices for eleven grades of crude oil 50 cts a barrel *comma* effective tomorrow *period* The increase brings Marathon *apostrophe* s posted price for West Texas Intermediate and West Texas Sour grades to 17 *period* 50 dlrs a barrel *period* The Light Louisiana grade was also raised 50 cts to 17 *period* 85 dlrs a barrel *period* Reuter))

(0680 (metal) 
     (FRANCO NEVADA SAYS STOCK RISE DUE TO DRILLING)
     (Toronto *comma* March 11)
     (Franco Nevada Mining Corp Ltd said the gain in its stock price today is related to deep drilling being conducted by American Barrick Resources Corp at the Goldstrike claims in the Carlin camp in northern Nevada *period* Franco Nevada stock is up two at seven dlrs per share on the Toronto Stock Exchange *period* Franco Nevada said American Barrick announced on March nine that the drilling indicated a number of significant intersections of sulfide gold mineralization below a depth of about 1 *comma* 000 feet *period* One vertical drill hole intersected gold continuously from 1 *comma* 100 feet to 1 *comma* 730 feet averaging 0 *period* 30 ounces per short ton *comma* the announcement said *period* Reuter))

(0681 (organic) 
     (BRITISH MINISTER CRITICISES PROPOSED EC OILS TAX)
     (LONDON *comma* March 11)
     (A British minister said that a proposed European Community tax on vegetable oils and fats would raise the price of fish and chips and he pledged the government would fight against it *period* Lord Belstead *comma* a junior agriculture minister *comma* told the House of Lords the tax would raise the price of raw materials used in many processed foods by about 100 pct *period* He said revenue should not be raised by taxing the consumer and called the proposal *quote* repugnant *period* *quote* Reuter))

(0682 (financial) 
     (TREASURY SECRETARY BAKER DECLINES COMMENT ON G-6)
     (NEW YORK *comma* March 11)
     (U *period* S *period* Treasury Secretary James Baker declined comment on the February 22 Paris accord between the six major industrial nations under which they agreed to foster exchange rate stability *period* Asked by reporters after a speech before the National Fitness Foundation banquet what *comma* if any *comma* currency intervention levels had been set in Paris *comma* Baker replied *colon*  *quote* We never talk about intervention *period* *quote* Baker also declined to comment on his views about the foreign exchange markets *apostrophe* reaction to the accord *period* REUTER))

(0683 (organic) 
     (CHINA *quote* S RAPESEED CROP DAMAGED BY STORMS)
     (PEKING *comma* March 12)
     (The yield on 46 *comma* 000 hectares *lparen* ha *rparen* of rapeseed in central China will be cut by up to 70 pct by hailstorms and tornadoes that swept across nearly 100 *comma* 000 ha of crops on March 6 *comma* the New China News Agency said today *period* The storm *comma* which lashed the Huai and Yangtze rivers and eastern Anhui province *comma* left two people dead and 800 others injured *period* Some 800 houses were flattened and 19 boats sunk *comma* it said *period* The Anhui provincial government has sent emergency relief to the 19 counties affected *comma* the news agency said *period* REUTER))

(0684 (organic) 
     (TAIWAN *quote* S FIRST QUARTER MAIZE IMPORTS SEEN RISING)
     (TAIPEI *comma* March 12)
     (Taiwan *apostrophe* s maize import commitments are expected to rise to 970 *comma* 000 tonnes in the first four months of 1987 from 870 *comma* 000 tonnes a year earlier *comma* a spokesman for the Joint Committee of Maize Importers told Reuters *period* He said more than 75 pct of the imports come from the U *period* S *period* And the rest from South Africa *period* The maize import target for calendar 1987 is set at well over 3 *period* 4 mln tonnes compared with an actual 3 *period* 07 mln in 1985 *comma* he added *period* REUTER))

(0685 (petro) 
     (TONEN SEKIYU AND EXXON UNIT STUDYING RESIN PROJECT)
     (TOKYO *comma* March 12)
     (and *comma* a petrochemical division of Exxon Corp *comma* said they agreed to accelerate a study to set up an equally *dash* owned joint venture to make waterwhite resin in Japan *period* Details of the venture *comma* to be based on Exxon Chemical technology *comma* will be set later *comma* the companies said *period* Waterwhite resins are widely used in adhesive applications for baby nappies *comma* medical tapes *comma* and other bonding agents *period* Tonen is a wholly *dash* owned subsidiary of Toa Nenryo Kogyo KK which is owned 25 pct by Exxon Corp *period* REUTER))

(0686 (metal) 
     (BRITAIN TO MINT NEW "BRITANNIA" GOLD COIN)
     (LONDON *comma* March 12)
     (Britain will from next autumn mint and market a new bullion coin called the *quote* Britannia *quote* containing one ounce of 24 carat gold *comma* together with bullion coins of smaller denominations *comma* a Treasury official said *period* The new investment coin *comma* to be sold worldwide *comma* will fluctuate in price according to the international price of gold *period* The smaller coins will be in denominations of a half ounce *comma* a quarter ounce and a tenth of an ounce *period* REUTER))

(0687 (organic) 
     (TAIWAN BUYS 27 *comma* 000 TONNES OF U *period* S *period*  SOYBEANS)
     (TAIPEI *comma* March 12)
     (The joint committee of Taiwan *apostrophe* s soybean importers awarded a contract to Richco Grain Ltd of New York to supply a 27 *comma* 000 *dash* tonne cargo of U *period* S *period* Soybeans *comma* a committee spokesman told Reuters *period* The shipment *comma* priced at 210 *period* 34 U *period* S *period* Dlrs per tonne c and f Taiwan *comma* is set for delivery between March 20 and April 5 *comma* he said *period* Taiwan *apostrophe* s soybeans imports in calendar 1987 are targetted at 1 *period* 81 mln tonnes *comma* against an actual 1 *period* 74 mln tonnes imported in 1986 *comma* he said *period* All the imports come from the U *period* S *period* *comma* He added *period* REUTER))

(0688 (organic) 
     (CHINA JANUARY WHEAT *slash* SUGAR IMPORTS BELOW YEAR AGO)
     (PEKING *comma* March 12)
     (China *apostrophe* s wheat imports in January were 218 *comma* 000 tonnes *comma* down from 393 *comma* 000 in January 1986 *comma* the China Daily Business Weekly said *comma* quoting customs figures *period* It said imports of sugar were 25 *comma* 165 tonnes *comma* down from 54 *comma* 000 *comma* but exports of rice rose to 71 *comma* 144 tonnes from 20 *comma* 000 *period* It gave no more details *period* REUTER))

(0689 (financial) 
     (MALAYSIA OPTIMISTIC OVER ECONOMIC OUTLOOK FOR 1987)
     (KUALA LUMPUR *comma* March 12)
     (Malaysia *apostrophe* s Central Bank *comma* Bank Negara *comma* said the economic outlook for 1987 is good in view of a marked improvement in commodity and oil prices in the later months of last year *period* It said in its latest quarterly review that real gross domestic product averaged an annual growth of 1 *period* 1 pct over the first nine months of last year compared with a decline of 0 *period* 1 pct in the corresponding period in 1985 *period* Growth was generated mainly by the manufacturing sector *comma* it added *period* REUTER))

(0690 (organic) 
     (RISE SEEN IN FRENCH RAPESEED *comma*  SOYBEAN SOWINGS)
     (PARIS *comma* March 12)
     (France *apostrophe* s Oilseed and Bean Cooperatives Federation *comma* FFCOP *comma* said it expected French rapeseed sowings for the 1987 harvest to rise by between 54 *period* 6 pct and 67 *period* 5 pct to between 600 *comma* 000 and 650 *comma* 000 hectares from 388 *comma* 000 planted last year *period* Its latest estimates also suggested a 66 *period* 7 pct rise in soybean sowings to 80 *comma* 000 ha from 48 *comma* 000 last year *period* Sunflower sowings were expected to increase by between 8 *period* 6 pct and 14 *period* 6 pct from 829 *comma* 000 ha *period* Pea sowings are estimated likely to rise 27 *period* 7 pct to 350 *comma* 000 ha against 274 *comma* 000 *comma* while field bean sowings are forecast unchanged at 40 *comma* 000 *period* REUTER))

(0691 (financial) 
     (CHINA TRADE DEFICIT FALLS IN JANUARY)
     (PEKING *comma* March 12)
     (China *apostrophe* s trade deficit in January fell to 310 mln dlrs from 460 mln in January 1986 *comma* the China Daily Business Weekly said *period* Quoting customs figures *comma* the paper said exports fell to 1 *period* 75 billion dlrs from 1 *period* 84 billion and imports fell to 2 *period* 06 billion from 2 *period* 3 billion *period* REUTER))

(0692 (financial) 
     (BANK OF ENGLAND OFFERS EARLY HELP IN MONEY MARKET)
     (LONDON *comma* March 12)
     (The Bank of England said it had invited the discount houses to make an early round of bill offers to help offset a large liquidity shortage in the money market *period* It estimated the shortage at around 1 *period* 55 billion stg *comma* one adverse factor being the unwinding of a sale and repurchase agreement *comma* with the market having to buy back bills worth 542 mln stg from the Bank *period* Bills maturing in official hands and the treasury bill take *dash* up would drain 957 mln stg wile exchequer transactions and a note circulation rise would take out 15 mln and 25 mln respectively *period* Above target bankers *apostrophe* balances would add 10 mln *period* REUTER))

(0693 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET GIVEN EARLY ASSISTANCE)
     (LONDON *comma* March 12)
     (The Bank of England said it had bought bills worth 1 *period* 059 billion stg from the market for resale on March 31 at rates of interest between 10 *dash* 7 *slash* 16 pct and 10 *dash* 17 *slash* 32 pct *period* Earlier *comma* the Bank said it estimated the liquidity shortage in the market today at around 1 *period* 55 billion stg *period* REUTER))

(0694 (organic) 
     (INDIA BUYS WHITE SUGAR FROM LONDON TRADERS)
     (LONDON *comma* March 12)
     (India yesterday bought two cargoes of white sugar from London traders for April *slash* May shipment and granted the trade houses the option to sell an additional two cargoes at the same price for May *slash* June shipment *comma* the firms involved said *period* E D and F Man and Woodhouse *comma* Drake and Carey both said they sold single cargoes at 237 *period* 35 dlrs a tonne cif for April *slash* May and were granted options to sell an extra cargo each at the same price for May *slash* June at the Indian buying tender for three to four cargoes of whites held yesterday *period* The tender had called for a single cargo of prompt and two to three cargoes of April *slash* May *period* REUTER))

(0695 (financial) 
     (CANADA JANUARY TRADE SURPLUS 533 MLN DLRS)
     (OTTAWA *comma* Mar 12)
     (Canada had a trade surplus of 533 mln dlrs in January compared with an upward revised 965 mln dlrs surplus in December *comma* Statistics Canada said *period* The December surplus originally was reported at 964 mln dlrs *period* The January surplus last year was 1 *period* 19 billion dlrs *period* January exports *comma* seasonally adjusted *comma* were 9 *period* 72 billion dlrs against 10 *period* 39 billion in December and 10 *period* 89 billion in January *comma* 1986 *period* January imports were 9 *period* 19 billion dlrs against 9 *period* 43 billion in December and 9 *period* 71 billion in January 1986 *period* Reuter))

(0696 (organic) 
     (HUNGARIAN 1987 SUGAR BEET AREA LITTLE CHANGED)
     (BUDAPEST *comma* March 12)
     (Hungary is to grow sugar beet on 105 *comma* 000 hectares of land this year compared with some 95 *comma* 000 in 1986 *comma* the official MTI news agency said *period* Diplomats said this reflected Hungary *apostrophe* s policy of keeping the sugar beet area stable under the current five *dash* year plan *lparen* 1985 *dash* 89 *rparen* and producing enough to cover only domestic demand despite the recent rise of world prices to 10 month highs *period* Drought cut the 1986 harvest to 3 *period* 58 mln tonnes from 4 *period* 07 mln in 1985 *period* But a record yield of 130 kilos per tonne of beet kept production at 454 *comma* 000 tonnes *comma* with 30 *comma* 000 extra refined in Yugoslavia from Hungarian beet *period* Output was 483 *comma* 000 in 1985 *period* REUTER))

(0697 (financial) 
     (U *period* K *period*  MONEY MARKET GIVEN FURTHER 442 MLN STG HELP)
     (LONDON *comma* March 12)
     (The Bank of England said it provided the market with a further 442 mln stg assistance during the morning to offset a liquidity shortage it estimated at 1 *period* 60 billion stg *comma* revised up from 1 *period* 55 billion The bank bought outright eight mln stg of band one treasury bills and five mln stg of band one bank bills at 10 *dash* 3 *slash* 8 pct *period* It bought a further 429 mln stg of bills for resale to the discount houses on April 2 at an interest rate of 10 *dash* 7 *slash* 16 pct *period* So far today *comma* the bank has given the market assistance worth a total of 1 *period* 501 billion stg *period* REUTER))

(0698 (organic) 
     (PAKISTAN COULD IMPORT 100 *comma* 000 TONNES OF PALM OIL)
     (KARACHI *comma* March 12)
     (Pakistan is likely to import 100 *comma* 000 tonnes of refined *comma* bleached and deodorised palm oil between April and June this year *comma* vegetable oil dealers said *period* They said the import would be financed by the Islamic Development Bank *lparen* IDB *rparen* which signed an agreement with Pakistan earlier this week in Jeddah *comma* Saudi Arabia *period* Pakistan had imported 600 *comma* 000 tonnes of edible oil since the beginning of the current financial year last July *comma* they added *period* The palm oil would come from Malaysia or Indonesia *period* REUTER))

(0699 (financial) 
     (TREASURY SECRETARY BAKER DECLINES COMMENT ON G-6)
     (NEW YORK *comma* March 12)
     (U *period* S *period* Treasury Secretary James Baker declined comment on the February 22 Paris accord between the six major industrial nations under which they agreed to foster exchange rate stability *period* Asked by reporters after a speech before the National Fitness Foundation banquet what *comma* if any *comma* currency intervention levels had been set in Paris *comma* Baker replied *colon*  *quote* We never talk about intervention *period* *quote* Baker also declined to comment on his views about the foreign exchange markets *apostrophe* reaction to the accord *period* Reuter))

(0700 (petro) 
     (DUNE RESOURCES RESERVES ROSE IN 1986)
     (OKLAHOMA CITY *comma* March 11)
     (Dune Resources Ltd said its oil reserves increased 225 pct during 1986 while its natural gas reserves were up six pct *period* The company said its proven oil reserves were estimated at 605 *comma* 682 barrels on December 31 *comma* up from 186 *comma* 655 barrels a year earlier boosted by discoveries during the year put at 423 *comma* 659 barrels *period* It said gas reserves rose to 8 *period* 8 mln cubic feet from 8 *period* 3 mln on Dec 31 *comma* 1985 *comma* as discoveries of nearly 1 *period* 3 mln cubic feet were partialy offset by production of 287 *comma* 391 cubic feet and downward revisions of previous estimates totaling 491 *comma* 694 cubic feet *period* Reuter))

(0701 (financial) 
     (BANKERS OPPOSE STRICT TAIWAN CURRENCY CONTROLS)
     (TAIPEI *comma* March 12)
     (Taiwan imposed currency controls today in what bankers called a desperate move to prevent speculation as the Taiwan dollar appreciated against the U *period* S *period* currency *period* The strict controls will require proof that large remittances to Taiwan are connected to commercial transactions rather than currency speculation *period* Bankers attacked the controls as ineffective *comma* saying they were a panic reaction to pressure from Washington for faster appreciation of the Taiwan currency against the U *period* S *period* dollar *comma* which would slow exports to the United States *period* Remittances exceeding one mln dlrs earned through exports *comma* shipping *comma* insurance or bank lending will now need government approval *comma* along with remittances of more than 10 *comma* 000 dlrs from any other source *period* Reuter))

(0702 (petro) 
     (SAUDI SUPERTANKER REPORTED HIT BY IRAN OFF UAE)
     (LONDON *comma* March 12)
     (Iran attacked the Saudi Arabian supertanker Arabian Sea off the United Arab Emirates last night but the vessel was able to proceed after the incident *comma* Lloyds Shipping Intelligence reported *period* The 315 *comma* 695 *dash* dwt Arabian Sea had set sail on Tuesday after loading oil at the Saudi port of Ras Tannurah *period* Lloyds said the attack occurred at about 2200 hrs local time *lparen* 1800 GMT *rparen* *period* Reuter))

(0703 (financial) 
     (TAIWAN TO RELAX IMPORT CURBS ON MORE GOODS)
     (TAIPEI *comma* March 12)
     (Taiwan will relax import controls on more foreign goods *comma* a government spokesman said today *period* The move was to allow greater access to Taiwan markets by overseas trading partners *comma* especially the United States *comma* an official of the Council for Economic Planning and Development told Reuters *period* Import curbs on about 400 foreign goods *comma* including stationery and books *comma* would soon be relaxed *comma* he said *period* Taiwan announced it would ease curbs on some 600 farming and industrial products last month *period* The official said the moves were intended to balance trade between Taiwan and the United States and other trading partners *period* Taiwan *apostrophe* s trade surplus reached a record 15 *period* 6 billion dlrs last year *comma* up from 10 *period* 62 billion in 1985 *period* Reuter))

(0704 (financial) 
     (JAMAICA PUTS CAP ON BORROWING)
     (KINGSTON *comma* Jamaica *comma* March 12)
     (Jamaica has put a cap on its 3 *period* 5 billion dlr foreign debt and will reduce its obligations by 300 mln dlrs this year *comma* Prime Minister Edward Seaga said *period* Seaga yesterday said Jamaica has reached its *quote* maximum stock of debt *quote* and will not undertake any more borrowing until it was justified by economic growth *period* *quote* This year we *apostrophe* ll be reducing the stock of debt by 300 mln dlrs *comma* *quote* he said *period* He said his government aims to get Jamaica *apostrophe* s ratio of debt payments to foreign exchange earnings down from the current level of 50 pct to 25 pct over the next two to three years *period* Debt payments this year are expected to total 287 mln dlrs *comma* Seaga said *period* Seaga yesterday concluded an agreement with Jamaica *apostrophe* s creditor banks to reschedule some 181 mln dlrs due in 1987 *dash* 89 over the next 12 years *period* Reuter))

(0705 (financial) 
     (UK MONEY MARKET GIVEN FURTHER TWO MLN STG HELP)
     (LONDON *comma* March 12)
     (The Bank of England said it gave the market further assistance of two mln stg during the afternoon *comma* buying that amount of band two bank bills at 10 *dash* 5 *slash* 16 pct *period* The bank has given the market assistance worth 1 *period* 503 billion stg today to offset a shortage it estimated at a revised 1 *period* 60 billion *period* REUTER))

(0706 (organic) 
     (CCC REALLOCATES CREDIT GUARANTEES TO EL SALVADOR)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* March 12)
     (The Commodity Credit Corporation *comma* CCC *comma* has reallocated two mln dlrs in credit gurantees previously earmarked for sales of U *period* S *period* protein meals to cover sales of vegetable oil and tallow to El Salvador *comma* the U *period* S *period* Agriculture Department said *period* The action reduces coverage for sales of protein meals to 14 mln dlrs from 16 mln dlrs and creates new lines of one mln dlrs for tallow and *slash* or greases and one mln dlrs for vegetable oils *comma* the department said *period* All sales under the credit guarantee lines must be registered and exported by Sepember 30 *comma* 1987 *comma* it said *period* The guarantee rates include a charge to provide for a yearly interest rate coverage of up to 4 *period* 5 pct on the guaranteed value *comma* the department said *period* Reuter))

(0707 (organic) 
     (PANAMANIAN WHEAT SHIP STILL GROUNDED OFF SYRIA)
     (LONDON *comma* March 12)
     (The Panamanian bulk carrier Juvena is still aground outside Tartous *comma* Syria *comma* despite discharging 6 *comma* 400 tons of its 39 *comma* 000 *dash* ton cargo of wheat *comma* and water has entered the engine *dash* room due to a crack in the vessel bottom *comma* Lloyds Shipping Intelligence Service said *period* The Juvena *comma* 53 *comma* 351 tonnes dw *comma* ran aground outside Tartous port basin breakwater on February 25 in heavy weather and rough seas *period* Reuter))

(0708 (organic) 
     (HOG AND CATTLE SLAUGHTER GUESSTIMATES)
     (CHICAGO *comma* March 12)
     (Chicago Mercantile Exchange floor traders and commission house representatives are guesstimating today *apostrophe* s hog slaughter at about 290 *comma* 000 to 310 *comma* 000 head versus 309 *comma* 000 week ago and 328 *comma* 000 a year ago *period* Cattle slaughter is guesstimated at about 128 *comma* 000 to 131 *comma* 000 head versus 129 *comma* 000 week ago and 127 *comma* 000 a year ago *period* Reuter))

(0709 (financial) 
     (PAKISTAN *quote* S TRADE DEFICIT NARROWS IN FEBRUARY)
     (KARACHI *comma* March 12)
     (Pakistan *apostrophe* s trade deficit narrowed to 2 *period* 64 billion rupees *lparen* provisional *rparen* in February 1987 from 2 *period* 85 billion *lparen* final *rparen* in January and compared with 2 *period* 94 billion in February 1986 *comma* the Federal Bureau of Statistics figures show *period* Exports fell to 5 *period* 04 billion rupees *lparen* provisional *rparen* in February from 5 *period* 34 billion *lparen* final *rparen* in January and compared with 3 *period* 90 billion in February 1986 *period* Imports fell to 7 *period* 68 billion rupees *lparen* provisional *rparen* in February from 8 *period* 19 billion *lparen* final *rparen* in January and compared with 6 *period* 84 billion in February 1986 *period* REUTER))

(0710 (financial) 
     (FED NOT EXPECTED TO ADD RESERVES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* March 12)
     (The Federal Reserve is not expected to intervene in the government securities market today *comma* several economists said *period* They said the Fed does not have a much of an adding need this week and may wait until tomorrow or Monday before supplying reserves *period* But a few economists said there was an outside chance that the Fed may inject reserves indirectly via a small round of customer repurchase agreements *period* Federal funds hovered at 6 *dash* 1 *slash* 8 pct this morning after averaging 6 *period* 32 pct yesterday *period* Reuter))

(0711 (organic) 
     (EC COMMISSION GRANTS EXPORT LICENCES *dash* TRADE)
     (BRUSSELS *comma* March 12)
     (The European Community *apostrophe* s *comma* EC *comma* cereal management committee granted export licences for 5 *comma* 000 tonnes of quality soft bread *dash* making wheat at a maximum export rebate of 134 *period* 75 European currency units *comma* Ecus *comma* per tonne *comma* traders said *period* The committee also granted export certificates of 35 *comma* 000 tonnes of barley at 137 *period* 35 Ecus per tonne *comma* but rejected all bids for the export of soft feed wheat *comma* they said *period* Certificates were also granted for the export of 15 *comma* 000 tonnes of maize at a maximum rebate of 132 *period* 90 Ecus per tonne *comma* the traders said *period* Reuter))

(0712 (financial) 
     (FED ADDS RESERVES VIA CUSTOMER REPURCHASES)
     (NEW YORK *comma* March 12)
     (The Federal Reserve entered the U *period* S *period* Government securities market to arrange two billion dlrs of customer repurchase agreements *comma* a spokeswoman said *period* Dealers said Federal funds were trading at 6 *dash* 1 *slash* 8 pct when the Fed began its temporary and indirect supply of reserves to the banking system *period* Reuter))

(0713 (organic) 
     (INDIA BUYS RBD PALM OLEIN AT TENDER)
     (LONDON *comma* March 12)
     (The Indian State Trading Corp bought one *comma* or possibly two *comma* 6 *comma* 000 tonne cargoes of Malaysian refined bleached deodorised palm olein at its vegetable oil import tender today for Mar 15 *slash* Apr 15 shipment at 355 dlrs per tonne cif *comma* traders said *period* Reuter))

(0714 (petro) 
     (MOBIL TO RESTRUCTURE EXPLORATION UNIT)
     (NEW YORK *comma* March 12)
     (Mobil Oil Corp said it will restructure its Dallas *dash* based Mobil Exploration and Producing Services Inc operations April one *comma* to provide stronger technological support to its U *period* S *period* and overseas operations *period* Mobil said the operation will consist of two new units *comma* Technical Services and Application Technology *comma* along with the existing Drilling and New Exploration Ventures groups *period* It said R *period* C *period* Mills *comma* president and general manager of its Exploration and Producing Southeast Inc *comma* has been named vice president and general manager of the new operation reporting to P *period* J *period* Hoenmans *comma* president of its Exploration and Producing division *period* Reuter))

(0715 (organic) 
     (ICO BOARD MEETING DELAYED ONE DAY)
     (LONDON *comma* March 12)
     (The International Coffee Organization *lparen* ICO *rparen* executive board meeting scheduled for the end of this month has been delayed by one day and will now run from March 31 to April 2 and not March 30 to April 1 *comma* ICO officials said *period* On March 30 *comma* the ICO ad hoc working group will meet to consider management consultants Ernst & Whinney *apostrophe* s report on the ICO secretariat *period* This report was commissioned late last year to report on the administrative structure of the ICO *period* Reuter))

(0716 (petro) 
     (POWERINE REFINERY TO RESUME OPERATIONS)
     (SANTA FE SPRINGS *comma* CALIF *comma* March 12)
     (said its refinery here will resume operation today *comma* with initial crude oil runs of 20 *comma* 000 barrels per day *period* Powerine *comma* a privately *dash* held company *comma* said it expects the refinery to become fully operational by May *comma* with crude oil throughput at 35 *comma* 000 bpd *period* Initial oil products deliveries are scheduled for Monday *comma* Powerine said *period* The refinery had been closed due to a change of ownership *comma* the company said *period* Reuter))

(0717 (organic) 
     (U *period* S *period*  SOYBEAN MARKETING LOAN NOT NEEDED *dash* LYNG)
     (WASHINGTON *comma* March 12)
     (U *period* S *period* Agriculture Secretary Richard Lyng said a marketing loan for soybeans would serve no present purpose because the U *period* S *period* price is not above the world price *period* Asked in an interview if it was time to consider a marketing loan for soybeans *comma* Lyng said *comma* *quote* I don *apostrophe* t think so *period* I don *apostrophe* t think the world price is lower than our price anyway *period* *quote* However *comma* the USDA secretary said that if current conditions of surplus production persisted *comma* it might be appropriate to consider a marketing loan *period* *quote* I suppose that under that condition there is a danger our exports will continue to drop and that the government will continue to accumulate large stocks of soybeans *comma* *quote* he said *period* *quote* It might be *lparen* worth contemplating a marketing loan *rparen* *comma* if there were a world market that was lower than our market *period* *quote* Reuter))

(0718 (petro) 
     (SUN RAISES CRUDE POSTINGS 50 CTS)
     (New York *comma* March 12)
     (Sun Co said it raised the contract price it will pay for crude oil 50 cts a barrel *comma* effective today *period* The increase brings Sun *apostrophe* s posted price for the West Texas Intermediate and West Texas Sour grades to 17 *period* 50 dlrs *slash* bbl *period* The Light Louisiana Sweet grade was also raised 50 cts to 17 *period* 85 dlrs *slash* bbl *period* Sun Co last changed its crude postings on March 4 *period* Reuter))

(0719 (petro) 
     (U *period* S *period*  SEISMIC CREW COUNT DROPS 6 PCT IN FEBRUARY)
     (TULSA *comma* Okla *comma* March 12)
     (The number of seismic crews searching for oil and gas in the United States dropped by nine to a total of 151 crews *comma* a decrease of six pct from January *comma* the Society of Exploration Geophysicists said *period* The February total represented a 49 pct decrease from February 1986 *period* Worldwide *comma* the association *apostrophe* s monthly survey showed that seismic exploration for oil and gas increased to 395 in February *comma* up three from the month before *period* Africa added three seismic crews *comma