81.   But the chains are showing interest, sending representatives to visit church homes and attend conferences.

82.   But they were careful to keep some distance from the fray, ruling out attending a conference of presidential contenders called by Ross Perot in Dallas for this summer.

83.   Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretian is expected to attend the conference and meet with Bush and Fox.

84.   Byron R. Wien, chief U.S. investment strategist at Morgan Stanley, said he saw strong interest in short-selling when he attended a conference last month.

85.   Cigar distributors attending the conference say the demand for Cuban cigars is so great that Cuba could double production tomorrow and not meet that demand.

86.   Castro Llanes at the time was one of the leading business figures in Venezuela and was attending the conference, he said.

87.   Catherine Coyle, an educational psychologist from Madison, Wis., said cancelled flights have prevented her from attending the conference as planned.

88.   Catholic clergy, including bishops from around the country who had been attending a conference in Los Angeles, visited jails and prisons throughout the Southland.

89.   Clinton, as governor, attended the conference.

90.   Company executives attending the conference include Chairman John Whitacre, Chief Financial Officer John Goesling and six Nordstrom family members who are co-presidents, she said.