11.   Bland dismissed speculation that he and Hampton had had significant disagreements.

12.   Blumenthal dismissed speculation that upcoming tobacco trials might be delayed pending settlement negotiations.

13.   Boucher also dismissed speculation that Beijing was angling for a dramatic Easter release of the American crew members.

14.   A Fed spokesman declined to comment, and some traders dismissed the speculation.

15.   After the Communist government fell, there was talk of nominating Masur for the presidency of East Germany, but he always dismissed such speculation.

16.   Buchanan dismissed speculation that McCain could eventually find a home on the Reform line.

17.   Bush dismisses speculation that Dole has seriously considered him as a running mate.

18.   But Chafee dismissed speculation that he might leave the fold, too.

19.   But he dismissed speculation that Nkabinde might have been killed for anything other than political motives.

20.   But he dismissed speculation that the recent defection of Gen. Hussein Kamel, a son-in-law of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, signals an imminent fall of the Baghdad government.