31.   But in the near term, prices could go higher simply because there may not be enough gas in storage.

32.   But most traders said the markets were unlikely to rally much in the near term, as investors waited to see whether Chirac would follow through on his pledge.

33.   But in the near term, the enormous venture investments all but assures the continued growth of Silicon Valley startups.

34.   But investment bankers and analysts agree IPO investors will likely become more discriminating about the deals they select, at least in the near term.

35.   But people in the retail industry say m-commerce has a good chance of expanding in the near term.

36.   But Perry scaled back that goal in recent months after the military services told him it would be too difficult and too costly in the near term.

37.   But she expects travel to decrease in the near term.

38.   But most scientists agree that the threat of major releases is not a threat in the near term, certainly not in our lifetimes, said Kvenvolden.

39.   But that vision has given way to a more realistic assessment of the info age in the near term.

40.   But there is still plenty of room for caution because an industrywide recovery is not in sight, at least in the near term, he said.