21.   The process often drags on for years, and companies are forced to accept limits on the profits they make as well as restrictions on how they operate.

22.   The process has dragged on so long that a federal regulator recently complained that some information submitted with the merger application was too old to be of use.

23.   They also assume all risk that no payments will be made, or that the bankruptcy process will drag on for many years.

24.   They know the risks of allowing the process to drag on.

25.   Other diplomats said the process could still drag on for weeks if no strong candidates quickly emerge.

26.   Authorities in the region frequently have promised a speedy release of various hostages, but the process has sometimes dragged for months.

27.   But the budget appeared likely to pass with far less commotion than in previous years, when the process dragged on for months.

28.   But Howard refused to commit to the recommendations, adding to fears that the process would drag on.

29.   In any event, the French strategy seems to guarantee that the selection process will drag out well into December.

30.   Israel, it appears, can afford to have the current process drag for ever.