21.   Administration officials appeared to be surprised at the whirlwind of activity in the Finance Committee.

22.   Administration officials appeared to be far less comfortable with the contradictory evidence of drug-enforcement progress in Mexico.

23.   After suing to force Tyson to make good on its offer, IBP officials appeared no less pleased that the deal had been repaired.

24.   Bush administration officials appear to believe there is little chance for the talks in Egypt to amount to much.

25.   But administration officials said on Thursday night that three other officials will appear next week at hearings by the panel although they will not testify to matters considered confidential.

26.   But in recent days, city officials appear to have become more receptive to some form of expansion plan at the Javits site.

27.   But in the United States, officials appear more concerned about trouble-free voting than who wins.

28.   But Pakistani officials appear to hope that Omar could be equally influenced by the Islamic clerics from Pakistan.

29.   But party officials appear ready to run that risk.

30.   But Palestinian officials appeared determined on Wednesday to avoid clashes.