31.   Officials close to Schroeder said that the chancellor remains deeply committed to the critical bond with France, but could not accept an unchanging bond.

32.   Other officials close to Wilson said that he has, however, been deeply involved in formulating a campaign game plan.

33.   Republican officials close to the campaign said there were several reasons.

34.   Republican officials close to the campaign said that there were several reasons.

35.   Senior officials close to Milosevic say early elections, as called for by Draskovic and the alliance, are highly unlikely.

36.   Serbian officials close to Milosevic said he was likely to send a delegation to the talks.

37.   Senior officials close to Powell, who was not himself available for comment, struggled to clarify what he wanted to be reconsidered.

38.   Several officials close to McCaughey Ross painted her decision to fire Becker as a routine tune-up of a campaign during a moment of transition.

39.   Some officials close to the military say the discontent in the armed forces has risen sharply as more Venezuelans have begun to turn on its once-popular leader.

40.   The formal announcement of the deal with Continental is not due until later this week, when the change will take place, officials close to the negotiations said.