41.   Independent economist say that projection is too optimistic.

42.   Independent economists at home and abroad now say the process was seriously abused to enrich a handful of entrepreneurs close to the governing Croatian Democratic Union.

43.   Independent economists in Belgrade criticized the move Friday, saying it denied Yugoslavia access to the only market in the world where it actually made a profit.

44.   Independent economist Jassem al-Saadoun told The Associated Press the pay hike would harm the credibility of the deputies.

45.   Independent economists say they expect even higher inflation.

46.   Independent economists say budget estimates seem certain to be overshot, pushing interest rates higher and hampering new investment.

47.   Independent economists warn that despite state bailouts and tightened regulations, the financial system remains brittle and many more firms are expected to go bust.

48.   Jonathan Heath and other independent economists, however, have called the forecast optimistic.

49.   Many independent economists question the official reports, saying that government surveys do not cover much of the private sector and substantially underestimate imports.

50.   Many independent economists, however, say that the crisis was because of weak Asian economies.