51.   Close associates of Gonzalez have been charged with illegal wiretapping of public figures, misappropriation of public money, fraud, bribery, stock manipulation and illegal fund-raising.

52.   Close associates of Menem who have been charged with corruption have had the charges dropped.

53.   Close associates said he would declare himself an Independent and align himself with the Democrats, but not formally join the party.

54.   Concern is growing that as more goods flow in, close associates of Hussein will gain from cornering distribution rights, if not through outright black-marketeering.

55.   Close associates have never seen Netanyahu, the Likud Party leader, at such a loss for words.

56.   Close associates insist no.

57.   Close associates of Abacha say publicly that he will not be rushed out of office because he needs to stabilize the nation before handing over power to civilians.

58.   Close associates say he began discussing his resignation several months ago.

59.   Close associates say, however, that Majerus has confided he would find the ASU job appealing if it became available.

60.   Daniel Vaillant, another close associate of Jospin and the current minister for relations with Parliament, was named the new interior minister.