THE HAGUE, Sept 17, 2007 (AFP) - Dutch Finance Minister Wouter Bos on Monday approved a proposed takeover of Dutch bank ABN Amro by a three-bank consortium, consortium member Fortis announced.

Bos issued a declaration of no-objection but imposed conditions which the consortium is 'confident' can be satisfied, Fortis said.

BANGKOK, Aug 19, 2007 (AFP) - Thailand's army-installed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont claimed victory in a referendum Sunday, saying voters had approved a new constitution backed by the military.

'We consider that this constitution has been approved by the people, and by the end of August the constitution will be submitted to the king for endorsement,' Surayud said on national television.

'Overall, the turnout was more than 50 percent. I thank the Thai people for coming out to exercise their vote,' he said.