1.   But a so-called activation order, the approval needed to put that plan into action, seems unlikely to be agreed upon until the weekend, at the earliest.

2.   Clinton signed an activation order formally authorizing U.S. participation in such strikes last October.

3.   Clinton issued an activation order last October, in effect giving NATO authority to order air strikes, with U.S. participation, against the Serbs.

4.   There was still a high likelihood, the diplomats said, that NATO would formally declare an activation order, the last step necessary to authorize air strikes.

5.   A NATO official, who spoke on condition of anonymity said, NATO ambassadors gave the activation order late Friday to send the so-called extraction forces to Macedonia.

6.   At an emergency meeting in Brussels, Belgium on Sunday, NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana also said the activation order authorizing NATO airstrikes against Yugoslavia remained in effect.

7.   Both diplomats and officials said they expected the council to issue the official activation order for the deployment on Wednesday.

8.   If the Holbrooke talks fail, NATO is expected to approve an activation order later on Monday, a vital step before airstrikes can be launched.

9.   If no capital objects after a set time, the proposal is approved and the activation order issued to the military authorities.

10.   If the Holbrooke talks fail, NATO was expected to approve an activation order later on Monday, a vital step before airstrikes can be launched.