1.   As Albright noted, conservative clerical leaders still exercise great power.

2.   By trying to thwart the will of the electorate, clerical leaders risk future discontent.

3.   Normally, the oath must be taken in person, but clerical leaders decided that there was no time for that.

4.   Unelected clerical leaders ought not to have arbitrary power to arrest and punish their critics, overrule Parliament and direct intelligence agencies to organize assassinations abroad.

5.   Deputy Education Minister Akhom Engchuan, meanwhile, said Wednesday that he planned to propose a review of the current laws on the appointment of Buddhist clerical leaders.

6.   He said he planned to suggest that private temples adopt the government temple method when it comes to appointing a new clerical leader.

7.   In related comments, Musharraf asked the clerical leaders to help his government eliminate extremism, terrorism and violence and work for harmony and national unity.