1.   A handful of House Republicans and a key Democrat are to introduce legislation Wednesday designed to break the congressional stalemate over tobacco.

2.   But many Democrats and Republicans seem less interested in compromise than a campaign issue this fall, and both versions could easily die in a congressional stalemate.

3.   For now, at least, it appears that congressional stalemate is likely.

4.   Menem moved to sell the airports by presidential decree earlier this year to bypass a congressional stalemate.

5.   Opposition legislators tried to derail the sale after President Carlos Menem approved it by decree last April to bypass a congressional stalemate.

6.   Opposition parties also objected to a decree issued by President Carlos Menem to bypass a congressional stalemate and authorize the sale of concessions to operate airports.

7.   President Carlos Menem moved to sell the airports by presidential decree earlier this year to bypass a congressional stalemate.