1.   Although top Montgomery executives decline to discuss several of the lagging companies for legal reasons, they defend the firm.

2.   American Airlines executives decline to comment on their short-lived management stint or their abrupt departure.

3.   American executives declined to estimate the financial damage suffered by the airline since the slowdown began Saturday.

4.   American Airlines executives declined on Wednesday night to say what would happen to the alliance.

5.   An executive there declined to comment.

6.   Archer Daniels executives declined further comment.

7.   Archer Daniels executives declined comment on the makeup of the committees.

8.   At a press conference, Younger and top executives declined to answer questions about the merger.

9.   Barilla executives declined to provide estimates on how much it expects sales volumes to grow as a result of the reduction in prices.

10.   Barton had struck a deal with the company, according to police records, but executives declined to comment this week.