51.   But all that could change if new tax incentives for home owners are accepted in a national referendum Sunday, according to big real estate owners backing the measure.

52.   Central Bank President Carlos Massad, who attended the announcement, backed the measures.

53.   Democrats in control of the state Assembly have backed similar measures in past years, only to find little support in the Republican-led state Senate.

54.   During a subcommittee meeting Monday, five parties representing a majority of parliamentarians said their members were backing the measure.

55.   European Union foreign ministers backed the measures on Saturday and offered to mediate in an attempt to end the military crackdown.

56.   Foreign Minister Diego Garcia Sayan pressed for an emergency meeting of the Organization of American States to adopt a resolution backing all measures in the fight against global terrorism.

57.   Government and opposition lawmakers backed the measures late Thursday.

58.   Harkin backed the measure, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, which President Clinton has threatened to veto.

59.   In the interview, Hastert said that Norwood had wanted to see formal draft language before deciding whether to back the measure.

60.   In recent weeks, the Bush administration has intensified its calls on Arafat to take steps to stop violence, while openly backing Israeli measures against Arafat.