Officials asserted today that no Americans have been involved in the fighting.

Its failure, the officials asserted, could not cause an accident.

"This is not the right style for an army officer," asserted a senior official.

Indeed, Israeli officials assert that bringing in such help is a major goal.

But Palestinian officials assert that no actual vote is necessary.

But everyone quickly got back on board, officials asserted.

Privately, senior officials assert that there is no need to rush in any case.

American officials and others asserted that the situation in the Philippines is still fragile.

American officials assert that they made no such offer.

If the aircraft was shot down, it would have been no great feat, the officials asserted.