The aide asserted that the capital gains tax break would have helped only the rich, and added, "Expensing has been raised by 50 percent.

His aides assert that he can do that.

The Governor's aides asserted that the Giuliani administration leaked it.

"In an election year, Congress is going to be pretty political in dealing with the substance of various issues," the aide asserted.

But aides of the High Commissioner asserted that their visits had made them confident that there is no ground for fear.

Mr. Giuliani's aides asserted that all the changes in the new accord were paid for by financial concessions from the union.

Mr. Bradley himself was involved in those discussions, the aides asserted.

His aides asserted that Japan would retaliate with its own sanctions.

His aides have staunchly defended the units, and asserted that residents are not confined against their will.

He has also pushed through a deficit-reduction plan, which his aides assert has gone far to push down long-term interest rates.