31.   An escalating, multibillion-dollar bidding war has led Allied Domecq PLC to postpone a decision between rival bidders for its retail pub network.

32.   Brazil and Argentina are also rival bidders from South America and there are bids from South Africa, Egypt and Morocco in the African federation.

33.   Han, on behalf of his company, spent seven times the amount the auctioneers appraised the collection for to fend off rival bidders.

34.   Hoping for a rejection are rival bidders Volkswagen and two consortiums, including one of Rolls-Royce enthusiasts who had fought to keep the company British.

35.   In October, the French government announced its choice of Lagardere Group over rival bidder Alcatel Alsthom SA to take over Thomson.

36.   In the taped conversation, Yigit is heard asking Cakici to help him fend off rival bidders.

37.   On the tape, Cakici, who was recently arrested in France, is heard assuring Yigit that he will fend off rival bidders.

38.   On that earlier tape, Cakici was heard assuring Yigit that he will fend off rival bidders.

39.   Rival bidders could also enter into the fray and kill the deal, the source said.

40.   The bid was endorsed this week by the Department of Defense over rival bidder General Dynamics Corp.