21.   Dawson called the compression of the meetings regrettable, but officials insisted they were trying to hold down skyrocketing security costs and minimize disruptions to downtown traffic flow.

22.   Downtown traffic was backed up for hours.

23.   Downtown traffic was jammed for hours.

24.   Downtown traffic was blocked for several hours.

25.   However, a major road outside the Parliament was closed, causing a major downtown traffic jam.

26.   However, a major road outside the Parliament was closed, causing a downtown traffic jam.

27.   In Belgrade on Wednesday, riot police blocked downtown traffic to prevent opposition leaders and their supporters from driving their cars and snarling streets in another protest.

28.   In Belgrade Wednesday, riot police blocked downtown traffic to prevent opposition leaders and their supporters from driving their cars and snarling streets in another protest against Milosevic.

29.   In Tehran, downtown traffic came to a complete halt with cars blowing horns and turning on their headlights.

30.   Protesters regrouped quickly in different Seoul thoroughfares and fought with police, paralyzing downtown traffic for four hours.