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                                                Exhibit 23(a)



               Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants
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The Boards of Directors
The Travelers Life and Annuity Company
The Travelers Insurance Company:



We consent to the use of our reports incorporated herein by reference and to the
reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus.


                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Hartford, Connecticut
April 9, 1997