31.   The White House also challenged the assertion by Starr that Clinton abused the power of his office by invoking executive privilege claims to conceal personal misconduct.

32.   Yet foreign experts have begun to challenge government assertions that the well-being of Cubans is not at risk.

33.   And with the exception of a few still-disgruntled Republicans, few politicians seemed interested in challenging that assertion.

34.   But reports from Kachin and Wa areas of northern and northeastern Burma challenge this assertion and say disillusionment about the truces could bring renewed conflict.

35.   He challenged assertions by Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush that Gore would swell the bureaucracy.

36.   Meanwhile, the leader of the ruling Taliban movement in Afghanistan challenged assertions that Osama bin Laden masterminded the attacks.

37.   Mrs. Clinton has denied playing any role in the firings, an assertion challenged in a memo by former White House administration director David Watkins.

38.   Their assertions were challenged by Dr. Adolph Steg, one of the doctors who treated Mitterrand.