To disrupt the transactions, American officials have prodded and protested.

A judge who ordered more than 40 children to use their absent fathers' last names has temporarily lifted the order after child-support officials protested.

American officials also protested that Mr. Castro had sent mental patients and people with serious diseases.

Just American companies were asked to submit bids, a move that British officials have protested.

Jamaican officials protested, saying that Ottey had won or had at least tied for first.

Although the response was positive, officials in neighboring Arlington Heights protested, hoping to buy the land themselves for estate homes.

Vietnamese officials protest that no other country has been asked to do this.

A timorous official protested: "How can we burn a house without permission of the owner?

Consular officials can protest mistreatment but cannot ask for protection or special services beyond those required by local law.

Several officials have protested the idea with the kind of rancor normally reserved for prisons and homeless shelters.