21.   Continental does not need formal approval of pilots, but must appease them for the alliance to succeed.

22.   Even worse, Phoenix broadcasts are still technically illegal, since the Ministry of Radio, Film and Television has yet to grant formal approval.

23.   Formal approval of the venture will follow at a later date, barring insurmountable obstacles.

24.   Formal FTC approval was expected, after the companies negotiated an agreement in July with agency antitrust staff lawyers.

25.   Formal congressional approval must be a condition for American participation.

26.   Formal approval could come within a matter of weeks, he said.

27.   Formal approval may still be months away.

28.   Formal approval must now go through three steps.

29.   Formal FDA approval usually means wider use and more guidance about dosage and adverse effects, experts say.

30.   Further, Washington only agreed to send the Apaches and rockets on the condition that they not be used in combat without the formal approval of President Clinton.