1.  For months, senior officials denied that Washington had any successor in mind.

2.  His Decision was upheld by nearly every senior official in his inner circle.

3.  However, the leak has precipitated a furious debate in the corridors of the Vatican, and among senior Catholic officials.

4.  In fact, they were senior officials, few in number and recruited through complex competitive examinations.

5.  In recent months, Milhoan has written lengthy rebuttals to senior Navy officials in hopes of overturning his dismissal.

6.  Many senior public officials keep their stocks in blind trusts throughout their tenure in office.