1.   American officials said that the lawmakers were almost certain to approve the pact, and that the vote was expected within a few months.

2.   And any distribution formula agreed upon by those who negotiated the settlement will almost certainly be changed by Congress, which must approve the pact.

3.   Big O shareholders still must approve the pact.

4.   But if Judge Motz approves the pact, they said, they expect the remaining suits in state courts to fade.

5.   He added that he expected union members would approve the pact.

6.   If the pact is approved by Congress, it would give the tobacco industry immunity from future class-action lawsuits and prohibit punitive damages for past acts.

7.   If the pact is approved by Congress, the tobacco industry would gain immunity from future class-action lawsuits and from punitive damages.

8.   If lawmakers approve the national pact, the enforcement money would be provided by tobacco companies instead of taxpayers.

9.   If workers approve the pacts, the company said it could resume making seats for Ford Motor Co. as early as this weekend.

10.   In addition, plan participants would not receive any specific details about the allocation of settlement money until after the pact is finally approved, court papers indicate.