1.   The denial followed stories published today by the New York Times and Bloomberg Business News reporting that Whitacre has agreed to plead guilty to federal felony charges.

2.   White House officials denied the account, and their comments were immediately followed by denials from representatives of other intelligence, national security and law-enforcement agencies.

3.   But denials soon followed from all sides.

4.   The denial follows claims by a disgruntled nuclear scientist, seeking asylum in the U-S, that Islamabad intended a direct strike against India.

5.   The denial followed allegations to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission this week by former high ranking officials that De Klerk knew of human rights abuses ordered by government officials.

6.   This denial follows reports that key military planners in Australia are accelerating moves to acquire long-range cruise missiles, despite warnings that this would destabilize the region.

7.   The denial followed news from Israeli radio of secret contacts between Israel and Yemen to establish diplomatic relations.

8.   The denial followed a statement from Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati earlier on Friday.

9.   The denial followed similar comments Monday by Philippine military officials and the US embassy here.