When Mr. Clurman raised this issue with me, lest there be any misunderstanding I put my oral assurances in writing to the editors in a memo dated May 16, 1990.

An oral assurance, he warned, does not carry the same weight, nor will the builder feel the same obligation to fulfill his promises.

In twenty minutes he had oral assurance that he could boost for Luna that evening.

Over the weekend, he said he would no longer depend on oral assurances from the P.L.O. and wanted all agreements to be in writing.

And ask to see the insurance certificates instead of relying on oral assurances.

"I gave Mr. Johnson oral assurances," he said after today's meeting.

Torres said Tyson had given him an oral assurance that he would have his permission to write the book.

Waiting for the Next Step Some organizations, acting on oral assurances from state officials that the money will eventually come through, have taken out bridge loans to keep programs in operation.

Y.& R. executives, for their part, asserted that WPP made oral and written assurances that were then not included in the document.

Pettitte, whom the Yankees did not make available for comment, gave the Yankees his oral assurance that he would not exercise his player option if he was injured.