Most foreign operators of 120 other older 737's are expected to follow customary practice and comply with the rule voluntarily.

Some foreign operators have abandoned oil fields, or left the country altogether.

The 3i Group of Britain has decided to quit the market, and many other foreign operators have not completed a deal in a year.

But the ability of Americans to get a clue about the safety of foreign operators is growing.

In 2002-03 three contracts were signed with foreign private operators covering six secondary cities.

They were all listening, all the foreign operators with smatterings of English.

True, local business is not entirely absent but on the whole, foreign operators have been the first to benefit.

"We don't want to see them buying media stocks or expensive foreign operators."

The caller can then make a credit card or collect call to the United States without having to go through a foreign operator.

Saab has also provided several technology-transfer arrangements with foreign operators.