21.   It quoted a Socialist official whom it did not identify.

22.   Leading Socialist official Ivica Dacic told The Associated Press he understood the actions of the prisoners.

23.   Louis Tobback, whose party is a member of the outgoing government coalition, is the latest high-ranking socialist official to be interrogated in the so-called Agusta scandal.

24.   Meanwhile, charges were filed Thursday against a top Milosevic aide and Socialist party official, Branislav Ivkovic, alleging that he misused state funds for party purposes.

25.   Nikola Koichev, a senior Socialist official, said that the party stood firm in its demand that Stoyanov give it a mandate to form a new government.

26.   Nebojsa Covic was purged Tuesday by Milosevic, along with other key Socialist officials, in an effort to maintain party unity.

27.   One leading critic, senior Socialist official Manolis Daskalakis, quit the party Saturday.

28.   Socialist officials discussed the latest measures in strict seclusion late Sunday at a government residence near Sofia.

29.   Socialist officials say other considerations were behind the decision.

30.   Socialist officials are uncertain what will happen if he is asked and refuses.