For an initial pledge of $1 billion, the United States could provide relief that would save and rebuild tens of thousands of lives.

Administration and international aid officials say that after intense American pressure, the initial European pledge of $230 million could expand to several hundred million dollars.

This initial pledge was for US$ 127 million.

"The initial corporate pledges are the operating funds for the corporation," Mr. Smartt said.

In this way he keeps his initial pledge to Joanna to see her safe to Holywood.

Portuguese courts rejected the initial pledge for extradition.

Once the deposit was made, the state came up with an initial $3.5 million pledge for the property.

But the inspector general's office said it found many of those initial pledges to be vague.

It should honour its initial financial pledges to South Africa and provide significant support to the neighbouring countries during their transition period.

Why Japan has made such a generous initial pledge was unclear and embassy officials in Washington could not confirm the $13 million figure.