1.   But a regional health authority spokesman dismissed the document as pure speculation.

2.   An authority spokesman called the report a draft that had not been independently researched.

3.   An authority spokesman said the agency would have no comment.

4.   Authority spokesman Tito Davila said Avena was invited to submit a bid.

5.   A Palestinian authority spokesman reached Sunday night could not confirm the death toll.

6.   But John Samerjan, an authority spokesman, dismissed speculation on Monday night that a deal was done.

7.   Later, Robert Slovak, an authority spokesman, conceded that the motormen had not been warned, though he could not explain why.

8.   Mark Hatfield, another authority spokesman, said the department structure was being reviewed.

9.   The group began negotiating a final agreement with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey yesterday, said Peter Yerkes, an authority spokesman.