1.   Although he refused direct comment on the Asian situation, Rubin told reporters in Washington that U.S. officials are in contact with the authorities there.

2.   Although he refused direct comment on the Asian situation, Rubin told reporters in Washington U.S. are in contact with the authorities there.

3.   And while Soderbergh intercuts among the three with an astute sense of counterpoint and momentum, he never stretches one narrative into a direct comment upon another.

4.   As the president digests his own words, he avoids direct comment on the law.

5.   As for the British-Dutch proposal, U.S. officials declined direct comment, saying the document was being studied.

6.   Attorney General Janet Reno refused direct comment on whether her department is looking into possible prosecutorial wrongdoing by Starr but said Thursday she will not interfere with his investigation.

7.   Babbitt was unavailable for direct comment Friday.

8.   But on the issue of interbreeding with local populations, Cann seemed to avoid a direct comment.

9.   But the pope will almost surely stay away from direct political comment.

10.   Coach Joe Paterno has continued to avoid direct comments on the polls.