21.   But Dominican officials said they had no evidence the Cubans were in their country.

22.   Cuban and Dominican officials began talks Monday on an immigration treaty aimed at stemming the flow of illegal Cuban immigrants.

23.   Dominican officials and U.S. and Dominican researchers planned to sign an agreement late Wednesday authorizing the exploration.

24.   Dominican officials are being blamed for discounting clear information from the Miami-based National Hurricane Center, and for opening shelters only after the storm arrived.

25.   Dominican officials could not confirm the report.

26.   Dominican officials have said the newly opened consulate will serve primarily as a trade office, reacting to criticism from opposition politicians who oppose reestablishing diplomatic ties with Cuba.

27.   Dominican officials are deporting hundreds of Haitians they say are in the country illegally, even as the government is importing thousands of their countrymen to cut sugar cane.

28.   Dominican officials arrested two Dominicans accused of organizing the smuggling trip, Torribio Gambero said.

29.   Dominican officials defended the deportations, saying tens of thousands of Haitians were in the country illegally.

30.   Dominican officials have said they will not turn over Philippe because they are bound by international treaties not to extradite those suspected of political crimes.