31.   Western economists ridicule the barter economy as a perversion of the free market, noting that it distorts prices and makes a mockery of tax collection.

32.   Western economists were heartened last spring when Fyodorov was tapped as the head of the State Tax Service in May.

33.   Western economists have been hammering on bank officials to reverse course and throw lots more yen into the economy.

34.   When U.N. sanctions were suspended earlier this year, Western economists hoped that the Serbian economy would perk up.

35.   A Western economist close to the negotiations said the move could be disruptive.

36.   Among Western economists and other foreign observers, there is a great deal of puzzlement and skepticism about the true state of the Burmese economy.

37.   Lukashenko has been criticized by Western economists for his Soviet-style policies, and by human rights groups for cracking down on opponents.

38.   One Kiev-based Western economist who declined to be named described the November inflation figure as higher than expected.

39.   Roland Nash, a Western economist working in Moscow, said the limits could allow the government to meet forecasts of an economically stable season.

40.   Respected by Western economists, but widely reviled by Russians who blame him for the economic hardships many have faced.