P129 MTV3 p129 .Ma 24 Lok 1817:57 103 GERMAN FDP SETS KEY REFORM CONGRESS FOR DECEMBER BONN, OCT 24 (REUTER) - GERMANY'S LIBERAL FREE DEMOCRATS, CURRENTLY NEGOTIATJNG A RENEWAL OF THEIR COALITJON WJTH CHANAELLOR HELMUT KOHL, WILL HOLD A SPECIAL CONGRESS ON DECEMBER 11-12 TO REDEFINE THEIR PARTY'S AIMS. THE FDP EXECUTJVE COMMITTEE VOTED TO HOLD THE CONGTJS INGETAINEAUTERNGERMANY, SAID DEPUTJES ATTENDING A MEETJNG PRJOR TO THE STATL OF FORMAL COALITION TALKS LATER ON MONDAY. THE FDP IS HOLDING THE CONFERENAE TO RJVAMP ITSELF AFLER A YEAR-LONG ... <128 130>

P129 MTV3 p129 .Ma 24 Lok 1811:17 203 GERMAN FDP SETS KEY REFORM CONGRESS FOR DECEMBER ... SERIES OF ELECTION FAILURES, JNCLUDING A SLIDE TO 6.9 PERCENT OF THE VOTE IN LAST WEEK'S GdNERAL ELECTJON FROM 11 PERCENT IN 1990. MANY VOTERS SA THEY NO LONGER KNOW WHAT THE FDP STANDS FOR AFLER IT FAILED TO ASSERT ITS FREE-MARKET AND CIVIL LIBERTY IDEALS IN THE LAST GOVITNMINT, PROMPTJNG INTERNAL WRANGLING OVER POLICY DIRECTION. BUT KOHL NEEDS THE FDP MORE THAN EVER AFLER SEEING THE COMBINED MAJORITY OF HIS CHRJSTIAN DEMOCRATS AND THE FDP DWJNDLE TO JUST 10 SEATS IN THE ... <128 130>

P129 MTV3 p129 .Ma 24 Lok 1812:38 3/3 GERMAN FDP SETS KEY REFORM CONGTESS FOR DECEMBER ... NEW PARLIAMENT FROM 134 IN THE PTEVIOUS ONE. -- KIVIN LIFFEY, BONN NIWSTOOM +49 228 2609760 <128 130>