21.   Several members of Congress predicted that Bush would have as hard a time as President Bill Clinton did in gaining fast-track negotiating authority.

22.   The Clinton administration likely will delay until fall introduction of legislation to renew a special trade negotiating authority known as fast track, White House spokesman Mike McCurry said.

23.   The Clinton administration never received the fast track negotiating authority they needed to negotiate a trade agreement with Chile.

24.   The discussions come after the U.S. Congress refused to grant President Bill Clinton the negotiating authority to bring Chile into the North American Free Trade Agreement.

25.   The Clinton administration and House Republicans failed to agree on new trade negotiating authority, jeopardizing expansion of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

26.   The fast-track negotiating authority the Clinton administration wanted before opening discussions with Chile became entangled in political disputes in Washington.

27.   The issue also looms large as Bush tries to gain special trade negotiating authority from Congress.

28.   The president indicated that Democrats who balked on fast track will be listened to, but that he wants that negotiating authority.

29.   Ambassador Zoellick will be working with members of Congress to lay the groundwork for the ability for the president to have what they call fast-track negotiating authority.

30.   But as long as Congress stubbornly withholds special negotiating authority for the president, would-be partners in the FTAA remain skeptical about its prospects.