71.  United spokesman Joe Hopkins said federal mediators are already involved in the negotiations with pilots.

72.  United spokesman Joe Hopkins said the airline is also investigating, and intends to find out why the planes were allowed to depart.

73.  United spokesman Joe Hopkins said the carrier was disappointed with the latest such request.

74.  Werner Klaasen, a United spokesman in Frankfurt, said a passenger noticed the threat.

75.  A United spokesman said earlier they had had no indication Cantona wanted to leave.

76.  A United spokesman said on Friday the fee would be payable either by agreement or as decided by a tribunal.

77.  United Front spokesman Jaipal Reddy, meanwhile, predicted more jockeying for position before a final deal was clinched.