51.  American officials have also expressed a preference for a return of the refugees.

52.  American officials have alternatives to a global agreement.

53.  American officials have apparently decided to view that condition as an effort by Sharon, who could have simply canceled the meeting entirely, to cooperate with President Bush.

54.  American officials have been quietly urging that Gonzalez come to the United States to take Elian back with him.

55.  American officials have been taking part in meetings at United Nations headquarters in New York.

56.  American officials have been trying to work out a U.N. resolution to toughen economic sanctions, particularly controls on financial transactions by Serbian-controlled companies.

57.  American officials have begun to brief Russian officials here on the text of the charter and expect a more negative public reaction after the signing on Friday.

58.  American officials have denied complicity in the massacre, saying that they had no control over the Korean army units that were used in Kwangju.

59.  American officials have good reason to be wary, he said.

60.  American officials have indicated that they would be willing to consider granting new rights to Japanese carriers.