31.   In currency dealings, the dollar was slightly lower than its levels earlier Monday following comments by a Bank of Japan official who expressed opposition to further monetary easing.

32.   In the past, governments would quickly change course following critical comments from Beijing.

33.   Meanwhile, the dollar slid lower against the yen following comments Sunday by senior Finance Ministry official Eisuke Sakakibara that Japan would take decisive action to support its currency.

34.   That statement followed comments to a rally on Thursday, in which he said he would withdraw the case if Hungary provided suitable compensation.

35.   The argument followed comments made last month by Mahathir during the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting.

36.   The decision follows a comment Monday by Yamagata prefecture Gov. Kazuo Takahashi.

37.   The dollar got a boost overseas following comments by a German central bank official hinting at a possible cut in interest rates, traders said.

38.   The French government bond futures market and the stock market hit their lows for Tuesday following the comments.

39.   The U.S. dollar rose against the yen Tuesday following comments by the finance minister suggesting cooperation between Japan and the United States in currency markets.

40.   The U.S. dollar edged higher by late morning Friday despite some selling pressure following comments from U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan.