1.   The minister dismissed criticisms that negotiations to integrate the Mercosur and Andean Pact free trade groups could take as much as four years.

2.   When a Cabinet minister dismissed a bureaucrat two years ago, an uproar erupted because ministers rarely make personnel decisions.

3.   A Cabinet minister dismisses a U.S. proposal to remove the cap on oil exports and demands an end to U.N. sanctions.

4.   But as always, other OPEC ministers boldly dismiss these suggestions.

5.   Former home affairs minister Rudini dismissed speculation that the economic turbulence would lead to a motion of no-confidence against the government.

6.   However, Israeli Cabinet ministers dismissed the offer, saying they would not take it seriously unless Arafat arrested Islamic militants and reined in his security forces.

7.   Interior minister dismissed for election flap.

8.   Israeli Cabinet ministers dismissed the offer, saying they would not take it seriously unless Arafat arrested Islamic militants and reined in his security forces.

9.   Most ministers dismissed the higher-than-expected increase as a glitch triggered by rapidly rising oil prices.

10.   Some ministers dismissed appeals by the EU executive agency, the European Commission, for more money.