21.   Israeli leaders claim Syria, as the main power broker in Lebanon, could stem the flow of arms to Hezbollah and pressure the guerrillas to halt their attacks.

22.   Indeed, law enforcement leaders claim that religious cults and militant political groups are likely to engage in biological terrorism.

23.   Likud Party leader Ariel Sharon claimed that Barak had buckled under U.S. pressure.

24.   Municipal labor leaders claimed it was their pension funds.

25.   Northern Alliance leaders claimed that their soldiers had entered Taliqan without firing a shot, after making a deal with the local Taliban warlord to switch sides.

26.   Opposition party leaders claim fake identification cards are being issued and voters lists are incomplete.

27.   Opposition leaders claimed a Taliban commander was killed in the bombing there.

28.   Opposition leaders claimed today that the government rejected a cattle slaughter only to protect public spending and leave money for tax cuts.

29.   Senate Democratic leaders previously had claimed their members were united against prolonging the trial.