1.   And it employed all the tools of modern fund-raising, setting up automatic bank withdrawals for donors and matching gift programs with corporations like American Express and Home Depot.

2.   A central feature is a tax on all financial transactions, from checks to bank withdrawals to stock market investments.

3.   But bank withdrawals are running so high because depositors -- both Argentines and some foreigners -- are afraid that the banking system could collapse.

4.   Cavallo chose to make the announcement at the beginning of a three-day holiday weekend to minimize panicky bank withdrawals and turbulence on the Argentine markets.

5.   In the short term, the limitation on bank withdrawals could slow spending at a time when the economy is already shrinking fast.

6.   On Friday, depositors made frantic bank withdrawals.

7.   Restaurants and other businesses need the cash because of weekly limits on bank withdrawals.

8.   Sometimes victims are held for hours, so that thieves can force a second bank withdrawal after midnight.

9.   The government must also restore confidence in the financial system to a point where it can lift unpopular limits on bank withdrawals.

10.   The government also said that a freeze on bank withdrawals, which was expected to be lifted on Wednesday, would continue until Monday.