In the framework of three-point QCD sum rules, the form factors for the sem
ileptonic decays of B-c(+) --> B-s(B-s*)l(+)v(l) are calculated with accoun
t for the Coulomb-like alpha(s)/v-corrections in the heavy quarkonium. The
generalized relations due to the spin symmetry of HQET/NRQCD for the form f
actors are derived at the recoil momentum close to zero. The nonleptonic de
cays are studied using the assumption on the factorization. The B-c-meson l
ifetime is estimated by summing up the dominating exclusive modes in the c
--> s transition combining the current calculations with the previous analy
sis of b --> c decays in the sum rules of QCD and NRQCD. (C) 2000 Elsevier
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