31.   The move is a blow to small producing countries in Africa and especially the Caribbean that depend heavily on banana exports.

32.   The resumption of banana exports is the one bright spot in the export of traditional crops that include cocoa, nutmeg and mace.

33.   The United States will press ahead as expected next week with its plans to impose sanctions on the European Union over banana exports, trade officials said Monday.

34.   The World Trade Organization ruled earlier this year that European trade perks given to banana exports from former European colonies in the Caribbean violate free-trade guidelines.

35.   Their embrace of him reflects frustration with U.S. trade policy, which threatens their banana exports to Europe and thousands of textile jobs at home.

36.   The World Trade Organization ruled last year that European Union incentives for Caribbean banana exports constituted unfair trade.

37.   They say without their income from banana exports their economies would be destroyed with disastrous social consequences.

38.   Tony Zabaneh, chairman of the Banana Growers Association of Independence, said there likely will be no banana exports for at least nine months.

39.   Under his leadership, the island expanded its economy, previously dependent on banana exports, with tourism and manufacturing.

40.   When President Bill Clinton visits the Caribbean next week, he can expect to hear complaints about a successful U.S. challenge to European trade preferences for Caribbean banana exports.