111.   Despite the statistics, government officials expressed optimism.

112.   Despite the growing international effort, aid officials here nevertheless expressed concern about meeting the immediate needs of the refugees.

113.   Despite uncertainties about the final form of the project, and related financial incentives, city officials expressed pleasure with the news.

114.   Dismissed officials expressed little hope that any of the appeals would work, however.

115.   Doe Run officials expressed disappointment over their decision to withdraw, delivered just this week in a letter to Interior Department officials.

116.   Earlier Friday, American officials expressed frustration with delays in the Chinese response, which may have led to the dramatic public statement.

117.   Earlier this month, in a sign of the new U.S.-Russian testiness, Russian officials publicly expressed outrage at a comment by U.S. Ambassador Thomas Pickering.

118.   EU officials expressed hope that an accord will be announced before midnight European time, when foreign-exchange markets in Tokyo open.

119.   Even before that, Ministry of Finance officials repeatedly expressed concern about an excessive weakness in the yen.

120.   European Union officials expressed guarded optimism that a deal would be reached.