1.   Blatter regretted the absence of Japanese star Hidetoshi Nakata in the final.

2.   In a message read to the crowd, Bradman said both he and his wife, Jessie, deeply regretted their absence.

3.   In a message, Bradman, who is said to have suffered a mild stroke several months ago, said both he and his wife deeply regretted their absence.

4.   He also regretted the absence of secret talks and offered meetings at the highest levels.

5.   Upon arriving in Biarritz Monday, the presidents of Mali, Zaire, Burundi, Congo and Burkinabe said they regretted the absence of Rwanda.

6.   On the political scene, the OECD regretted the absence of what it described as a committed and cohesive body of reformers and deplored rivalries among government ministries.

7.   On arriving in Biarritz Monday, the presidents of Mali, Zaire, Burundi, Congo and Burkina Faso said they regretted the absence of Rwanda.