31.   Despite the lack of interest, the consortium is not about to reduce its asking prices.

32.   IWK communication division senior general manager Mirza Mohamed Tariq, at the same Press conference, said the consortium was sure it was innocent of wrongdoing.

33.   Salvador Villalobos of Mexican construction and engineering firm Bufete Industrial SA said the losing consortium was satisfied with all legal aspects of the bidding process.

34.   The consortium is to be reimbursed and paid in crude oil in the six-year buyback contract, the statement said.

35.   The consortium had been among three groups under final consideration for the contract.

36.   The consortium is a joint project of the governments of Russia, Kazakstan, Oman, and a number of international oil companies.

37.   The consortium so far has been the only candidate.

38.   The consortium has been reluctant to support the Turkish route because of the high cost and uncertainty over how much oil the Caspian fields will produce.

39.   The consortium is to make a decision on the route for a larger, long-term pipeline for the oil by next October.

40.   The consortium will be involve only in the first phase of the project.