1.   Elections give newcomers the chance to unseat incumbents or to fill vacated positions.

2.   They put high-potential people into those vacated positions while the incumbents are on sabbatical.

3.   But many believe Montesinos has used his influence in recent weeks to ensure that other generals loyal to him fill the vacated positions.

4.   He also told Haaretz that Israeli troops could return to vacated positions in case the areas become launching grounds for attacks on Israelis.

5.   Observers fear the race to occupy vacated U.N. positions could easily lead to conflict.

6.   Observers fear that local conflicts starting with a race to occupy vacated U.N. positions would easily escalate.

7.   Carter had said earlier Monday that Bosnian Serbs would withdraw heavy weapons from around Sarajevo if NATO guarantees the vacated positions will not be seized by Bosnian government troops.

8.   Carter said earlier Monday the Serbs would withdraw heavy weapons from around Sarajevo if NATO guaranteed the vacated positions would not be seized by Bosnian government troops.