1.   In his judgment yesterday, Lord Penrose held that the letters amounted to a concluded agreement.

2.   Defendants in the class action contended that the first letter amounted to a promise not to change rates and that Sears was breaching the agreement.

3.   Kate Michelman, the president of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, praised Clinton, saying his letter amounted to a veto promise.

4.   The high court appeal turned on a disagreement about whether the Saudi letter to Aramco amounted to a legal restriction imposed by the Saudi government.

5.   But Lou Michels, an attorney representing Bates and Buck, said the FDA letter does not amount to approval by the agency.

6.   Spokesmen for Prime Minister John Major in London said the letter did not amount to a clear commitment from Sinn Fein to renounce violence and seek IRA disarmament.

7.   They argued the letter amounted to abuse of the court process.

8.   The letters amounted to a warning that legal action could be taken against the six officers.