Supporters of this idea, which has been raised periodically, suggest that such a move would undercut the mob's profits and decriminalize a significant part of the business.

These moves can only raise tensions in South Asia, damage the cause of nuclear nonproliferation and undercut the goals India says it espouses.

The move would also undercut efforts in the Bahamas to ban the import, export or capture of marine mammals.

But amid these favorable developments, a move by Robert Torricelli and some other Democratic supporters of reform could undercut the cause.

He said that it was, but that such a move would would undercut the United Nations.

Mr. Goldwater's move undercut Mr. Wallace's trademark assertion that "there's not a dime's worth of difference" between the two main parties on race.

The move could undercut labor's push to help Democrats regain control of the House.

The Israeli move also undercuts the unusual outbreak of Arab solidarity that emerged in the last three weeks.

Yitzhak Rabin chose not to build in Jerusalem because King Hussein wrote him and said such a move would badly undercut the King at home.

Instead of feeling that the dramatic move undercut Mr. Bush's own position against the bill, the White House welcomed it.