The coup attempt seemed to take American officials by surprise.

It took officials several days to round up the children.

It did not take officials long to start making entries on the board, said several senior investigators.

The announcement took top officials of the agency by surprise.

Even in Bermuda, where they are part of every uniform, I find it hard to take officials who wear them seriously.

But the long prison sentences of 11 to 13 years imposed on three democracy campaigners in December took officials here by surprise.

Soon they took the Director General and other senior officials as hostages inside the auditorium and later fired on them.

It took officials from several Federal agencies more than 33 months to uncover the nursing ring, and the investigation is still going on.

They took captive Alakeshvara, his family, and principal officials.

Taking American officials at their word, Iraq has embraced its sovereignty.