41.   But French officials possess an inbred preference for relying on governmental decrees to manage the economy, rather than seeking salvation in the market place.

42.   But French officials say the decision has been carefully thought out, if not widely discussed.

43.   But in that capacity, Papon was nevertheless the highest-ranking French civilian official ever to be tried on war crimes charges.

44.   But privately, French officials said they were not impressed with attempts by Coca-Cola to explain what might have gone wrong.

45.   But the German authorities were pressing French officials in Bordeaux to arrest the children left behind in the July sweep and send them to Drancy as well.

46.   But the methods reportedly involved, including efforts to bribe French officials, were wrong.

47.   But the session in Paris was hardly a major session, and bemused French officials insisted no slight was intended.

48.   But while the American envoy Richard Holbrooke called Kosovo a precedent, German and French officials say it was merely a special case.

49.   By some accounts, French officials promised the Serbs there would be no further NATO bombing, a charge France denies.

50.   Chirac has not spoken on the issue, though other French officials have scoffed at the remarks.