51.   To qualify for such a berth, a conference must have all of its games played the week before the opening round of the playoffs.

52.   What a shame that a well-intentioned and potentially inspirational conference has become a divisive political weapon to advance the harsh, radical agenda of a few.

53.   A spokeswoman for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops said the conference had no immediate comment.

54.   As a precursor to that decision, the owners could vote on what sort of scheduling format to have if each conference has four divisions with four teams apiece.

55.   Clinton, a former Arkansas governor whose political fortunes are sagging in the conservative South, denied the conference had a political link.

56.   French Environment Minister Yves Cochet said another conference may have to be called early next year if the issues cannot be resolved Friday.

57.   Hasmy also said the conference will have to address and reach consensus on the question of the negotiating mandates.

58.   He said the conference will have access to newly declassified U.S. government records and documents from European and Latin American nations.

59.   If the Trojans had lost, they would have been unable to protest the incorrect decision by Ballesteros because the conference has no appeal process in such instances.

60.   Japan is convinced that the conference has a vital role to play in building up a series of treaties that would lead to nuclear disarmament, he said.