11.   Officials refused to indicate the exact origin of the material but did say that experience tells us that this kind of material comes from Eastern Europe.

12.   Council officials refused to allow the chemicals to be used unless it could be shown they were not harmful to humans.

13.   Immigration officials have refused entry to a Russian medical expert who was coming to Britain to help a paralysed teenager.

14.   But officials refused to hand over the dog until they vetted Mia in person to ensure she was suitable to have custody of the dog.

15.   Although they had not expected the tests Wednesday, administration officials had feared that they might take place eventually, because Indian officials had refused to rule them out.

16.   American and Caribbean officials refused to discuss the timing of a possible invasion.

17.   American officials refused to say they were optimistic that the Israelis would agree, but said they had some hope.

18.   American and Philippine officials have refused to comment on reports that Akman was taken to the United States and was cooperating with investigators in the World Trade Center bombing.

19.   And county officials refused, against state orders, to make any efforts to control urban sprawl in forested areas.

20.   As medical examiners were summoned to search the premises, officials refused to speculate on any motive, or even to confirm that the deaths were suicide.