1.   Fernandez succeeded veteran President Joaquin Balaguer and last week forced nearly half the generals in the top-heavy Dominican army into retirement.

2.   Fernandez succeeded veteran President Joaquin Balaguer and faced down a major crisis last week when he forced half the generals in the top-heavy Dominican army into retirement.

3.   Socialist Jorge Sampaio clinched victory Sunday over ex-premier Anibal Cavaco Silva in elections to succeed veteran President Mario Soares and end a political era in Portugal.

4.   The two candidates have already criss-crossed the country in their bids to succeed veteran Socialist Mario Soares, who has served two consecutive five-year terms.

5.   The two candidates have already criss-crossed the country in their bid to succeed veteran Socialist Mario Soares, who has served two consecutive five-year terms.