1.   And he vehemently denied widespread speculation that he is using the nomination squabble as a pretext to flee a job with which he has grown bored.

2.   Aoki President Yoichiro Yano held a news conference at the Tokyo Stock Exchange after the close of trading to deny speculation his company was in financial trouble.

3.   Argentine bonds fell even as officials denied speculation that economic policy would change.

4.   Argentine Economy Minister Roque Fernandez denied speculation the government would abandon the policy of keeping the currency stable.

5.   Asahi Bank had to denied speculation today that it was shouldering similar losses from currency trading.

6.   Asahi and Broken Hill have repeatedly denied speculation they will quit their entire holdings.

7.   Backus officials denied the speculation.

8.   Both have repeatedly denied speculation they will quit their entire holdings.

9.   BNP denied trader speculation of a merger last month.

10.   A Daiei spokesman denied speculation the company will cut its earnings forecast for the business year ended in February.