41.   And drug company officials were speaking openly and optimistically about the prospect of a deal.

42.   And researchers and company officials said the strong U.S. study shows the drug can help people with few options.

43.   And Karl Kay, a company official named in the lawsuit, could not be located.

44.   And sure, company officials are concerned.

45.   And most of the items that were stolen had been replaced with stock items, company officials said.

46.   And Raytheon executives angrily deny that company officials promoted construction of power plants to create work for their engineers.

47.   And the pipeline would be patrolled by planes flying twice a week, instead of once a week to meet the regulatory requirement, company officials say.

48.   And when asked why neither company had sought a stronger American partner, company officials suggested they did not have much choice.

49.   And they said company officials had had far-reaching internal discussions about their options.

50.   And they say company officials offered inducements to keep at least one of them, Michael Riley, from going to the authorities.