1.   The Progressive Democrats said his comments amounted to a charge of perjury against their leader.

2.   He said after the meeting that he doubts any publisher has that courage, but said his comments amounted to an invitation to sue.

3.   His comments amounted to a concession that his orders were not being followed, raising troubling questions about who is in charge of the Chechnya offensive.

4.   McCain aides said the comments amounted to the second apology from the Bush camp in as many days for the campaign in South Carolina.

5.   Prosecutors said his comments amounted to separatism.

6.   Taken at face value, his comments amounted to a concession that his orders were not being followed.

7.   Anti-independence leader Daniel Johnson immediately disavowed Garcia but his comments amounted to too little, too late.