31.   Iraq claims it has met U.N. conditions for easing the embargo.

32.   President Chandrika Kumaratunga last week agreed to ease the embargo on fuel and fishing as further concessions to the rebels.

33.   Republican Rep. George Nethercutt sponsored that bill, and even he is surprised at finding himself as the champion of easing the embargo against Cuba.

34.   The effort gained momentum this year because of tight re-election races faced by Nethercutt and other GOP proponents of easing the embargo.

35.   The embargo was eased in January, but strategic items are still prohibited.

36.   The government eased the embargo in January, but items such as fuel and batteries are still prohibited since they could be used against the military.

37.   The government eased the embargo in January but items such as fuel and batteries are still prohibited since they could be used against the military.

38.   The Palestinian Authority has eased an embargo on Israeli products that was imposed during the summer in retaliation for stifling Israeli security closures, the trade minister said Wednesday.

39.   The Palestinian Authority has eased its embargo of Israeli products that was imposed in the summer in retaliation for stifling Israeli security closures, officials said Wednesday.

40.   The Security Council was scheduled to review its sanctions against Iraq on Thursday but was not expected to take any action to ease the embargo.