And it is not clear whether Allianz, which has a 5 percent stake in Navigation Mixte, will support the takeover.

Centaur had hoped to use the meeting to replace Pennwalt's directors with members who support the takeover.

There are others who continue to support Dr. Hall and the takeover, among them business and foundation groups.

Sarki supported the royal takeover on February 1, 2005.

The referendum was challenged in a suit from a developer's group, the Association for a Better Long Island, which supports the takeover.

The two legislative leaders, both Democrats, support the takeover.

They said they thought Mr. Baker supported the takeover but that he could find himself in the minority.

In each case, he actively supported the takeover, willing to take his chances that both he and his shareholders would come out on top.

That argument has been used to persuade officials in Alaska to support the takeover.

Unlike the machinists' union, the flight attendants' union has supported the takeover.