41.   Having overseen a democratic transition, Toure yielded power, surprising many, as scheduled and as promised.

42.   In the wake of the announced democratic transition, politicians from across the country have been gathering since Wednesday to discuss the formation of new parties.

43.   Kabila has repeatedly expressed his desire to topple Mobutu and prepare the country for a democratic transition.

44.   Northern Ireland politicians arrived Friday for discussions aimed at helping them solve their problems by learning how South Africa dealt with its democratic transition.

45.   Preval succeeded Aristide in February in the first democratic transition of power in a nation subjugated by dictators for more than two centuries.

46.   Presidential spokesman Mike McCurry said U.S. officials have discussed the possibility of a democratic transition with Kabila but have received no commitments from him.

47.   Secretary of State Warren Christopher has said the measure would damage prospects for a democratic transition on the communist island.

48.   The announcement by U.S. State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns came as a bill to speed democratic transition in Cuba headed for Senate approval.

49.   The democratic transition began in June, when the five-year dictatorship of Gen. Sani Abacha ended with his sudden death.

50.   The democratic transition began in June, when the five-year-dictatorship of Gen. Sani Abacha ended with his sudden death.