This week environmentalists were outraged when the Administration retreated on its plan to change land-use practices by raising grazing rights fees and imposing mining royalties.

"The Administration is retreating on its own commitment for recycling."

The Administration, in its first budget battle with Congress, quickly retreated from initiatives to increase grazing fees on public lands and impose an energy tax.

Twice in the past two years, the Administration has retreated from implementing this reinterpretation because of outraged protests by our allies and Congressional leaders.

The Administration was "certainly not" retreating from its position, Mr. Kneedler said.

The announcement also angered environmentalists, who said the Administration was retreating from an agreement that has bipartisan support.

The Administration retreated from that offer after the Esquipulas Accords were signed Aug. 7, 1987.

Eventually, the Administration retreated in the face of what was acknowledged to be a political fiasco.

The Administration is retreating from its goal of buying 75 Stealth bombers from Northrop, officials said.

But the Administration retreated from this position in late spring when it was criticized for being too willing to rush an agreement.