31.   Second, the alliance will have to finance the construction of a national telecommunications network of cable fiber and wireless towers.

32.   Siemens, which was the biggest train supplier before the ABB-Daimler merger, said the alliance would have little impact on its business.

33.   So far, only the Olivetti-Mannesmann alliance has the hardware to do it, through Infostrada and their Omnitel-Italia Pronto SpA mobile-telephone venture.

34.   The alliance has a wider commercial importance for the companies.

35.   The alliance also have to bolster the reform-minded leadership in Montenegro, a republic that remains affiliated with Serbia.

36.   The alliance has had infusions of aid from Russia and neighboring Tajikistan.

37.   The alliances would have the financial resources and marketing clout to crush any start-up carriers.

38.   The alliance also has the option of taking a second conference team for one of two available at-large spots.

39.   The alliance has had lawyers present for every meeting during its formation.

40.   The alliance has some major holdouts.