1.   Airline officials argued that time was needed to verify names to ensure accuracy.

2.   Military officials had argued that to do so would weaken unit cohesion and lower morale.

3.   Thus, port officials argue, the city should have picked up the tab for fixing the recently revealed environmental problems.

4.   U.S. officials argue that Hussein is to blame for most of the hardship.

5.   Bank officials argued that it is not their job to chase down every asset of every bank debtor.

6.   U.N. officials argued that the report was unbalanced.

7.   American officials argue that Saddam Hussein had to back down and that they preserved the authority of the United Nations.

8.   Although the magnitude of the refund came as a jolt, many officials argue that it may turn out to be a deal maker rather than a deal breaker.

9.   American and European officials also argue that creating a national assembly and presidency would help the long-term prospect for unity, however tainted the election.

10.   American officials argue that NATO is, in any event, an alliance based on consensus.