1.   Samper said the measures, which allow the government to pass decrees without going through Congress, were needed to cut spending and reduce the burgeoning fiscal deficit.

2.   This year the government passed a decree to purge electoral lists of deceased voters and some nonresidents, hoping that would make it easier.

3.   When the parliamentary majority rejected it, the government of Serbia passed a decree allowing extradition.

4.   Pro-democracy Serb officials lack a majority in the federal parliament, but do have enough votes in the federal Cabinet to pass the decree without their junior partner.

5.   A decree was passed.

6.   He has passed several decrees granting them greater autonomy, and last week authorized the incorporation of Cossack units into the Russian army.

7.   He passed the decree on the condition that the opposition support him, though no official agreement was made.

8.   Instead, delegates passed a decree calling for the gradual reduction of military representation in Parliament.

9.   The Chechen government explained that it had passed a decree requiring gas stations to provide documentation proving they had purchased their gas legally.

10.   The decree was passed by the Yugoslav government Saturday and took effect Sunday.