21.   Cigarette machines were banned, and meetings often began with Farley leading his managers in aerobics.

22.   Copies of the letter were placed before the commissioners only moments before the meeting began.

23.   Creel said the meetings began last January and were conducted at the castle because the site holds special meaning for Mexico.

24.   Despite repeated threats that the meeting could not begin unless they complied, they continued to mill about until the organizers gave in.

25.   During the day, Clinton telephoned other leaders in the Middle East to brief them on the developments, the first such contacts since the summit meeting began.

26.   Even as the meeting began, it remained uncertain whether Clancy, who had a scheduling conflict, would appear before the committee.

27.   General managers suffered a double dose of frustration Thursday as their annual fall meetings began.

28.   Gov. George E. Pataki, a Republican, did not attend, citing scheduling conflicts, although he held a news conference only minutes before the meeting began.

29.   Groups of right-wing skinheads and anarchists are planning separate demonstrations Saturday, but the largest protests are expected Tuesday when the meetings begin.

30.   He left before position meetings began, which, defensive line coach Craig Boller said, is unusual.