11.   The US Secretary of State, James Baker, has warned of an imminent military strike against Iraq.

12.   It was a pre-emptive strike against attempts to rewrite and water down his proposals in the months ahead.

13.   Also Tuesday, a Pentagon delegation continued private talks with Pakistani military officials over cooperation in the event of a US-led strike against Afghanistan.

14.   American combatants said Sunday they had been far too focused on the strikes against Saddam to focus on the political troubles back home.

15.   American officials have been unusually outspoken about options for intensive military strikes against Iraq.

16.   And Compaq Computer Corp., in what could be a pre-emptive strike against its new competitor, will announce new features for its best-selling Presario machines.

17.   Analysts said the timing of the trip was perfect since it came on the day of U.S.-led retaliatory strikes against Afghanistan.

18.   Analysts say the initial reports of a strike against Iraq could trigger some selling, since military action creates the kind of uncertainty Wall Street dislikes.

19.   Analysts and traders took that to mean the Fed might raise interest rates to slow the economy as a preemptive strike against rising prices.

20.   And they expect little long-term effect on the world oil market unless the allied strike against terrorism widens into a broader war.