41.   Soros backs numerous projects in former communist countries, many aimed at economic and cultural development.

42.   Software giant Microsoft had initially pledged to back the project but Bill Gates has offered little more than enthusiastic rhetoric since the regional turmoil set in.

43.   Soros backs numerous projects in former communist nations, many aimed at economic and cultural development.

44.   Still, he acknowledged Calment backed the project because proceeds will be used to buy a minibus for outings at her nursing home.

45.   The foundation backs numerous projects in eastern Europe and elsewhere, many of them aimed at economic development in ex-communist countries.

46.   The pipeline project is being backed by a partnership of several companies based in Oklahoma and North Carolina.

47.   The Socialist government, which inherited the project from its center-right predecessor last fall, has backed the project after careful examination.

48.   The project is backed by Bill Heckle, who runs Cavern City Tours, a Beatles-based tour company, and owns the new Cavern club.

49.   Urinson said Citibank and Dutch ING Bank are among the foreign banks which have agreed to back the project if the Russian government provides a guarantee.

50.   But in this destitute mining region, where unemployment forces people to scrape for a living, many young men back the project in hopes of finding a job.