31.   The drop is blamed on the deteriorating political situation in the Middle East.

32.   The drop is blamed on low immigration from Japan and Japanese-Americans marrying people from other ethnic groups, sometimes lessening the bond with one particular culture.

33.   The firm also blamed the drop in profit on the operating expenses of its new sales office in Singapore.

34.   The group blamed the drop in growth on the weak domestic economy.

35.   The Labor Ministry blamed the drop in salaries on less overtime work.

36.   The report blamed the drop in sales on smuggling and health concerns.

37.   Traders blamed the drop in part to a worsening of sentiment following a decline in U.S. stocks traded on Wall Street Friday.

38.   Traders blamed the drop in CANTV on profit-taking after recent gains.

39.   He blamed the drop in theatre attendances on hired video and laser discs.

40.   Analysts blamed the drop in housing starts on higher mortgage rates, which have climbed two percentage points in the past six months.