11.   As more countries joined the race, their politics changed.

12.   A decision is anticipated in May which countries will join the euro, and at what currency rate.

13.   A recently assembled coalition government has dropped its threat of vetoing the plan to allow new countries to join NATO.

14.   Administration officials said they also needed to consult with congressional leaders and assure them that Washington would expand the relief operation in Rwanda only if other countries joined.

15.   Air Force Maj. Tom LaRock said the Pentagon would like to see U.S. allies in Eastern Europe flying U.S. aircraft, particularly if the countries might join NATO.

16.   Bush has made clear that the country has joined a global battle against terrorism, one that entails ambitious foreign policy objectives.

17.   But China fears that without an expanded domestic car manufacturing base, imports could quickly dominate the growing market after the country joins the WTO.

18.   But they made clear that no decision on which countries might eventually join NATO would be made until the end of next year at the earliest.

19.   Chile said more Latin American countries should join the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to add balance to its discussions.

20.   Czech stocks may also gain validity if the country joins the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.