21.  Assad ruled through the Baath Party, using its secular ideology as the cover for bringing the Alawite minority into key positions.

22.  As the likely chairman of the House Agriculture Committee next year, Roberts will be in a key position to influence reform efforts in the Conservation Reserve Program.

23.  At one end of the scale, well-educated immigrants assumed key positions in the technology industry, both in Silicon Valley and in New England.

24.  Backup quarterback is a key position for the Bruins because starter Cory Paus never has remained healthy in three seasons.

25.  Backup tight end is a key position and while Cross rarely gets hurt, Pierce does.

26.  AU.S. expert is likely to be put in charge of training and equipping the inspection commission, with Europeans holding other key positions, officials say.

27.  Besides Thues, Syracuse is counting on another unproven player at a key position.

28.  Black coaches and personnel men have said for years that what it takes to get more blacks in key positions is to have more open-minded people doing the hiring.

29.  Boston, despite its obvious lack of talent at key positions, battles hard.

30.  A believer in social order, he spent the last several years of his life installing younger technocrats in key positions to ensure a smooth transition.