11.   I believe these funds have money invested in U.S. securities, and if the government defaults, what would happen to money invested in these funds?

12.   If Clinton follows through on his veto threat, the risk of a government default would fall on the president, according to Republican thinking.

13.   In the end, the IMF program failed to rescue the ruble and prevent a government default because investors decided that Russia was too expensive to save.

14.   It may or may not have had any connection to the consequences of a government default caused by no action on the debt limit.

15.   Now, a looming shortage of securities and the threat of a government default are roiling financial markets.

16.   Opponents said the debt limit needs to be raised without conditions in order to avoid a government default.

17.   Otherwise, they would attempt to persuade the public that Clinton would be responsible for a possible government default that could follow a veto of the bills.

18.   Prices of Treasury securities fell, as traders reacted to a White House statement on a possible government default.

19.   Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole predicted today that Congress will eventually pass the debt-limit extension, preventing the first-ever government default on its debts.

20.   That statement stands in contrast to his threat yesterday to let the government default on its debt, a position that contributed to uneasiness in financial markets.