11.   What has not been good for the game is the prolonged absence of either, much less both.

12.   Within the Pentagon and the American intelligence agencies, however, there is growing concern that Saddam has used the prolonged absence of inspectors to continue those efforts.

13.   A prolonged absence could create difficulties for the court.

14.   He previously showed he could come back from a prolonged absence.

15.   His prolonged absences from the Kremlin have left Russia adrift during a profound economic crisis.

16.   His prolonged absence has provided ammunition to his critics, who say Yeltsin should step down.

17.   How long would he be gone, and would his prolonged absence provide yet another excuse to delay presidential elections promised next year?

18.   Mobutu has placed the areas of conflict under military control, but his prolonged absence leaves no one in firm control from the capital.

19.   That could well include more political turmoil, the prolonged absence of foreign business managers and possible food shortages.

20.   The battle erupted when a pro-Arafat activist, returning to Ein el-Hilweh after a prolonged absence, was greeted by comrades with rifles fired in the air.