As officials fret over how to integrate the returnees back into the land of the living (do they get their old jobs back?)
Now, as a mist of criticism settles on the White House, officials fret and strategize.
In Zurich, officials fretted over finding storage space at funeral homes with the means to keep the bodies chilled.
American officials have long fretted about Pakistan's political instability and deep economic problems, as well as the growing assertiveness of Islamic fundamentalists there.
French and German officials are fretting about layoffs at Airbus plants.
Israeli officials fret that even if the Bush Administration does in time approve the assistance, it might "score" the guarantees uncomfortably high.
"It's very bad," fretted an official from one of the Governments involved, who insisted on not being identified.
Even as Iranian officials fret about the potential risks, they are savoring the ideological boost.
Yet some Canadian officials fret that all the penny-pinching will relegate it in history books as the "Chevette summit."
Despite assurances that districts would at least maintain present state aid levels, some officials fretted that well-to-do districts could become easy targets for cost-cutters.