21.   He said his ministry would propose the merger to the minister of finance, who now directly supervises the companies.

22.   Smaller but cash-rich Belgacom proposed a merger of equals in April.

23.   The architect of the transaction was J.P. Morgan and Co. Inc., which proposed the merger and advised both banks.

24.   The merger was proposed after both Richmond and Scottish slumped into financial difficulties.

25.   The merger was proposed amid the euphoria of reunification.

26.   Unicredito Italiano said it would propose a merger to Banca Commerciale Italiana.

27.   BkyB and Canal Plus had become concerned that Bertelsmann had also proposed a merger with the Luxembourg-based CLT.

28.   Sonat competitor Reading and Bates, of the United States, is also expected to propose a merger with Transocean in the near future.