1.   First, a media sting operation caught several senior government aides taking bribes from arms dealers.

2.   It has been claimed that criminals, sportsmen and senior government officials are the most conservative groups in every country.

3.   There are rumours of a sex scandal involving senior government ministers.

4.   Meanwhile, in Italy, several senior government ministers who used to support closer European co-operation have suddenly swung round to oppose it.

5.   Senior government officials admit they have not been able to subdue the rebels.

6.   At the same time several former contra leaders were appointed to senior government posts and a number of supporters of Vice-President Virgilio Godoy were not reappointed.

7.   Under the amendment the President would have wide-ranging powers over finance and over senior government and military appointments.

8.   The first appointments were made in January to a new Cabinet of Ministers, created as part of the restructuring of the senior government leadership approved in December.

9.   Senior government officials confirmed that Gaviria was assembling his own team to ensure that the process of gathering evidence against and prosecuting the drug barons went smoothly.

10.   Nazim Yanine Daz to head a newly created directorate within the National Police which would be in charge of specialized forces protecting transport installations and senior government officials.