11.   In return the U.S. administration would ask Congress to soften the automatic lawsuit provisions of the Helms-Burton legislation.

12.   In return, the U.S. administration would ask Congress to soften the automatic lawsuit provisions of the Helms-Burton legislation.

13.   Opponents in Congress say the lawsuit provision also could cause a serious logjam in U.S. courts.

14.   Privately, EU officials say the lawsuit provision may never actually be implemented.

15.   President Bill Clinton has deferred implementing the lawsuit provision of Helms-Burton until mid-January.

16.   President Clinton has deferred implementing the lawsuit provision of the Helms-Burton law until mid-January.

17.   President Clinton has said he would sign the bill, which allows him to suspend the lawsuit provision for six-month periods.

18.   Privately, EU officials say the Helms Burton Act lawsuit provision may never actually be implemented.

19.   Privately, EU officials say the Helms-Burton Act lawsuit provision may never actually be implemented.

20.   Republicans senators are introducing amendments, or changes, that would curb the lawsuit provisions sought by Democrats for aggrieved patients in HMOs and other health plans.