21.   Community activists in rural areas are frequently under threat from influential local business interests, who often are tied to criminal activities.

22.   Kuchma has to maneuver between the increasingly vocal opposition, his supporters in parliament, influential business groups and the powerful Communists and other hard-liners.

23.   More critical was the influential business lobby COPARMEX, a grouping of powerful executives normally allied with the ruling party.

24.   That prospect, however, would likely worry some influential business and political leaders in Zimbabwe.

25.   The announcement followed a meeting with Habibie along with a delegation from the Japan Federation of Economic Organizations, an influential business lobby known as Keidanren.

26.   The influential business lobbyist promised to keep the nation moving toward market reform.

27.   Under the scheme, businesses received faxes from Nigeria that included official-looking seals and included the names of influential Nigerian business and government leaders, officials said.

28.   TWO influential business groups are planning to reduce the recommended pay increase for employees this year owing to the economic slowdown.

29.   But the Japan Association of Corporate Executives and two other influential business groups said they would pressure the government to take decisive action.

30.   Cardoso has launched a media campaign singing the praises of reelection, which polls here show is backed by influential business interests.