71.  But it is still not clear at what level they will meet Russian officials.

72.  But many Russian officials have been concerned primarily with the fate of ethnic Russians driven from new nations or barred from citizenship.

73.  But most signs were that Russian officials have held firm.

74.  But now the press is never far away when a Russian official, including Yeltsin, is tipsy enough to make a fool of himself in public.

75.  But only four people initially passed through, Russian officials said.

76.  But privately, many Russian officials fear that under President Bush, this sentiment is no longer shared.

77.  But Russian military officials made similar confident predictions at the outset of the war in Chechnya.

78.  But Russian officials conceded that it may be impossible to arrange a meeting on such short notice.

79.  But Russian officials have recently balked at giving up on Mir, their unique contribution to space exploration.

80.  But Russian officials hope to eventually be able to link the center with all its key civilian and military nuclear sites.