Sheppard was characteristically cautious not to make it sound like a challenge.

Yesterday's modest movements in interest rates reflected the characteristically cautious stance of dealers awaiting an important economic release.

In an interview this afternoon, Mr. Rubin was characteristically cautious in describing his political experience before joining the Administration.

Asked to assess her chances, Suchocka is characteristically cautious.

Greenspan, characteristically cautious, says Mitchell is "a very close, a very good friend."

Welsh, who has not seen a problem since that Wednesday, remains characteristically cautious.

For the prospects of democracy Mr. Achebe is remarkably optimistic, but characteristically cautious, too.

But analysts said that Hewlett-Packard was characteristically cautious and that the company's costs were well within industry norms.

John Smith, the Labour leader, is characteristically cautious.

Mr. Bush is proceeding in his characteristically cautious way.