71.   India welcomed the announcements, and said it understood the operations might take time.

72.   It was not immediately clear when the operation took place.

73.   It was unclear when the operation took place.

74.   It gave no indication exactly when the operations took place.

75.   Ito said the operations would take place later Sunday.

76.   It now appears the operation may not take place until early October.

77.   Kitrey, the army spokesman, said the operation could take weeks or months.

78.   Lt. Commander Dave Davis, who is now in charge of the ship, said he did not know how long the operation would take.

79.   Mine-clearing operations could take days and may slow deployment.