21.   Many Caribbean states were stung last year when the United States successfully challenged trade preferences for their banana exports to Europe.

22.   Patterson was supposed to leave Wednesday on highly publicized lobbying trip to Britain to counter U.S. pressure to end European Union trade perks given to Caribbean banana exports.

23.   Seven U.S. Congressmen asked the Clinton administration Monday to drop its attempt to penalize the European Union for giving preferential treatment to banana exports from the Caribbean.

24.   Some Caribbean leaders are warning that islanders dependent on banana exports could be driven to producing and trafficking in drugs.

25.   Some Caribbean leaders are warning that islanders dependent on banana exports could be driven to producing and trafficking in drugs if they lose the European market.

26.   Summit issues also include a review of Caribbean-U.S. relations after Washington successfully challenged European trade rules favoring Caribbean banana exports.

27.   The banks had refused to grant the loans unless the association agreed to cede control of its finances and allow for fixed prices on banana exports.

28.   The Europeans are under pressure to champion the cause of their former colonies, many of whom are poor and totally dependent on banana exports.

29.   The move is a blow to small producing countries in Africa and especially the Caribbean which depend heavily on banana exports.

30.   The island has traditionally depended for banana exports for earnings, but has seen export markets for the fruit shrink.