41.   But no matter how many people the companies throw at the thorny issue of integration, the track record for large technology mergers is not good.

42.   But the outlook is grim as negotiations with the Clinton administration continue on resolving overdue budget bills and thorny issues such as funding for the International Monetary Fund.

43.   But the new report is expected to avoid some thorny issues that face the fast-growing market.

44.   But the White House had already put the press on notice that thorny issues would be arising before the dust settled at the World Trade Center.

45.   But there are plenty of thorny issues.

46.   But they avoided the thorny issue of whether suspects arrested in Spain could be extradited to the United States where they may face the death penalty.

47.   But the process, if there is one, should resolve those thorny issues.

48.   But there is a thorny issue that must be hurdled before Strawberry joins the Yankees in the regular season.

49.   Clinton also predicted eventual agreement this year between himself and congressional Republicans on other thorny issues, such as the overhaul of welfare and Medicare.

50.   Consequently, many political analysts are asking why the prime minister would choose to waste political capital on such a thorny issue.