41.   But McConnell told the Senate that the staff said its thorough inquiry had made hearings unnecessary, and Democrats confirmed his report.

42.   But in July Clinton sent his staff a memorandum saying he wanted to see no more strategy papers that omitted Texas from his target list.

43.   But Mercy Corps signed the letter to Rice and staff says their interaction with the army was hardly cooperation.

44.   But this is the first time he has taken to the airwaves to search for funds across state lines, his campaign staff said.

45.   Committee staff said that they had hoped to call a number of other Lippo employees to testify but that the staffers had returned to Jakharta.

46.   Committee staff say a list could be announced in the next two weeks or so.

47.   Congressional staff said lawmakers recognize that the cash-assistance program for the unemployed will need a boost, given the layoffs in the airline industry alone.

48.   Dietz declined to be interviewed, his staff said, because he remains the sitting judge on the case if prosecutors try it a third time.

49.   Ecuadorean President Abdala Bucaram, who was dismissed by Congress late Thursday, left the presidential palace this evening and went to Guayaquil, palace staff said.

50.   Fausto Tonna, administrative director of the company, was unavailable to answer questions about the bond, his staff said.