11.   The commission demand comes at a time when EU governments are trying to reduce spending to meet targets on cutting budget deficits and debt.

12.   The Giuliani administration says it cannot afford the money it would have to spend to meet the deadline, and it wants City Council to change the law.

13.   With individual and corporate debt so high, any slowdown in the growth of income can result in cutbacks in spending to meet debt service payments.

14.   He spent met with senior staff and with Texas Lt. Gov. Rick Perry, who will succeed Bush if he becomes president-elect.

15.   The rest of his trip would be spent meeting officials and business leaders in New York.