1.  For months, American executives have been reviewing all aspects of the airline for cost savings.

2.  American executives gave the trade agreement some credit for helping open the market a little.

3.  American executives had signaled that they would let the airline shrink until they reached an agreement with the pilots.

4.  American executives in China today are not exporting American values.

5.  American executives preferred convenient flights over posh menus and bottles of vintage Bordeaux, and the airlines delivered.

6.  American executives say it is impractical to design an entire vehicle for Japan given the volumes they can expect to sell here.

7.  American executives say WTO membership for China will introduce a rules-based system to a country still mired in cronyism and connections.

8.  American executives were also steamed.

9.  American executives, a planeload, are now at table, ushered in by Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown to make deals, without reference to human rights.

10.  Among American executives in India, the hope is that the Enron flap will blow over.