1.   Initially, NASA assigned Thomas to the months of Russian language training and demanding technical preparations for a mission to Mir as a backup.

2.   Technical preparations go into solving blitzes, but in the end the quarterback must have the poise and reactions to follow through.

3.   A delegation from the IMF and World Bank is due to arrive in Bulgaria this week to start technical preparations for the board.

4.   Clarke said joining work on the technical preparations for the Euro-currency did not mean Britain was committed to joining it.

5.   Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf said Wednesday that he expects technical preparations for the resumption of exports to be complete by Saturday.

6.   Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf said Wednesday that he expects technical preparations for the resumption of exports to complete by Saturday.

7.   Legislative elections were originally set for October, but postponed because of a lack of funds, logistical problems and inadequate technical preparation.

8.   Technical preparations for the polls are way behind schedule and experts say the election date should be pushed back by at least three weeks.

9.   Still, Lamfalussy said technical preparations for the money merger will be completed on schedule and a capable European Central Bank will exist.

10.   The government could speed up the technical preparations for holding a general election, such as printing ballot papers, he said.