"It is an extreme, mean-spirited, radical proposal devoid of compassion."

But he said, "We stand ready to offer vigorous opposition to extreme proposals that threaten economic security or our nation's economic future.

He said they should "drop their extreme proposals."

But in some ways, the statement seemed to back away from some of the more extreme proposals offered by Congressional Republicans.

The most extreme proposal was to merge Odorrana into Huia.

But extreme proposals such as for the quarantining of AIDS patients have made little headway.

A Microsoft spokesman, Mark Murray, said that the government plan, if actually presented to the federal court, would be a "very radical and extreme proposal."

"The question is will we have good, solid sensible reforms now, or radical and extreme proposals down the line."

But many financial executives said they thought it unlikely that Mr. Bentsen would push any extreme or market-shaking proposals.

But a recommendation to break up the company would be an extreme and radical proposal that is not justified by anything in this case.