11.   Auto executives declined to discuss specific negotiating positions on how to control costs.

12.   Bertelsmann executives have pointedly declined to comment on the question.

13.   Because the company is still in the offering period, executives at Shells declined comment.

14.   Because the company will report earnings in several weeks, Commerce executives declined to talk about earnings or the stock.

15.   Biogen executives declined to comment after the vote.

16.   Boeing executives declined to respond to phone messages.

17.   Both executives declined to be interviewed Thursday.

18.   Bowles escorted Hubbell to the office of a Washington investment executive, but the executive declined to hire him.

19.   A bank spokeswoman said Gifford and the other executives declined to comment.

20.   A News Corp. executive declined to comment.