31.   A major principal in the firm is former Attorney General Francis X. Bellotti, a close Weld political ally.

32.   A popular singer by profession and known as the Frank Sinatra of Russia, Kobzon is a close political ally of Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov.

33.   Afghan opposition leaders like Zarian are Pashtun, and not close allies of the Northern Alliance, which is led by members of the minority Tajiks and Uzbeks.

34.   Alarcon named a close ally, former Congressman Marco Flores, to the post of Finance Minister last week, replacing Carlos Davalos.

35.   Aliyev arrived in Ankara aboard a private jet sent to Baku by President Suleyman Demirel of Turkey, a close ally.

36.   But Dell has been a close ally of Microsoft.

37.   But even some close allies suggest that this is a period of increasing strain.

38.   But he did not run those countries, and his recruits came from among millions of destitute Muslims living in places that the United States considers close allies.

39.   But he is not a Farrakhan disciple or a conspicuously close ally.

40.   But if company wins in the courts, the future of Internet commerce will almost surely be shaped by Microsoft and its close allies without further government hindrance.