51.   The combined fears had caused many institutional investors headed for the sidelines to await a clearer picture to emerge before committing their funds into the market.

52.   The measure would allow states to avoid penalties by committing new funds toward initiatives to keep minors from buying tobacco products.

53.   WFP regional director Judith Lewis said most donors have not yet committed funds for the region because they are still working out their individual budgets.

54.   While Obuchi wants to commit public funds to bailing out large banks such as the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan Ltd., opposition lawmakers are demanding more extensive reform.

55.   Hashimoto has committed public funds to cover half the secondary losses.

56.   He added that some local institutions were also expect to commit funds.

57.   Investors would look for a sustained improvement in the equities market before they commit their funds, he said.

58.   As a result, analysts believe few investors are willing to commit funds to US markets until there are clear signs of bottoming out.

59.   But a source close to the negotiations said that the main reason why the plan had not got off the ground was that Maillot had refused to commit funds.

60.   But the official said the feasibility studies on the sarcophagus will not be completed before later this year and that it was not advisable to commit more funds now.