31.   But as it became clear that the major political parties were backing Narayanan, most of them dropped out of the race.

32.   But Democrats leader Meg Lees said the party would not back down on its insistence that a goods and services tax be taken off food.

33.   But it is unclear if all the coalition parties will back him.

34.   But he kept governing, and recently, former Premier Silvio Berlusconi, dropped his demand for early elections and indicated his conservative Forza Italia party could back Dini.

35.   Donald Ramirez, secretary general of COPEI, announced the party would back businessman Henrique Salas Romer instead of Saez.

36.   Donald Ramirez, secretary general of COPEI, announced the party would back Yale-educated businessman Henrique Salas Romer instead of Saez.

37.   Even in literary debates, one party would quickly back out.

38.   Gerry Adams, whose IRA-allied Sinn Fein party firmly backs the Irish language schools, thanked the government for the aid.

39.   He won when three centrist parties backed his candidacy on condition his government proceed with economic and democratic reforms needed to join the European Union and NATO.

40.   It was the second time this year that the governing party has backed down on major legislation in the face of labor and minority party opposition.