11.   Izyumov told The Associated Press that shortly before his death Chernenko picked Grishin as his preferred successor, but Gorbachev managed to outmaneuver him.

12.   The president also says that Putin is his preferred successor in the presidential election set for next year.

13.   Wahid once nominated Yudhoyono, also a retired general, as his preferred successor.

14.   Yeltsin has also said that Putin is his preferred successor for president in elections planned for next summer.

15.   Yeltsin has already endorsed Putin as his preferred successor for president next year, though Putin was unknown to most Russians before he was elevated last week.

16.   Yeltsin, whose term expires next year, also declared that Putin would be his preferred successor.

17.   Chan ranks number two to Patten and has long been known to be his preferred successor.

18.   Ramos, who has resumed his full work load, has yet to name his preferred successor who he is expected to endorse in the election campaign.