51.  The Europeans skirted the issue of a possible U.S. attack on Iraq, despite efforts by Blair to garner support for the American position.

52.  The French, at the London meeting on Friday, eventually came around the American position, administration officials said.

53.  The four nations are either playing instrumental roles in the treaty talks, in Kyoto, Japan, or are viewed as being friendly to the American position.

54.  The French could then break ranks with Britain and other European countries that support the American position.

55.  The interview prompted government spokesmen to repeat longstanding American positions on Iran and the kind of dialogue that Washington is willing to hold.

56.  The United States, along with China and Russia, did not sign the treaty, and many delegates were eager to hear the American position.

57.  The voting nations may have wanted to demonstrate their opposition to these American positions in an unmistakable, unified voice.

58.  There is no change in the American position.

59.  These are not new American positions, both American and Israeli officials said on Thursday night, and they have been expressed to Netanyahu in private.

60.  These are not new American positions, both American and Israeli officials said Thursday night, and they have been expressed to Netanyahu in private.