The meeting comes as Congress is debating whether to increase the United States' contribution to the monetary fund by $18 billion, a step opposed by many Republicans and some Democrats.

Eventually, if negotiations fail to stop Iran from enriching uranium or taking other steps opposed by the West, European countries might act against those accounts, various diplomats said.

These remarks were particularly sensitive because she gently but unmistakably questioned the policies of the Israeli Government, a step strongly opposed by many of Israel's most loyal supporters in the United States.

He has been advocating opening up the the process to new developers - a step vehemently opposed by Mr. Koch, who says that would take too long and cost the city too much revenue.

The measures, which ranged from deep cuts in spending to new incentives for private business, were reinforced by plans for national elections here next month - another step reportedly opposed by Mr. Castro.

Former Gov. Bruce Babbitt of Arizona delivered an impassioned endorsement of merit pay for teachers, a step long opposed by the National Education Association.

He also urged the legislature to approve his long-stalled plans to buy more weapons from the United States and raised again the possibility of a referendum to rewrite the Constitution, two steps strongly opposed by mainland China.

But negotiations snagged on exempting the agency from the Wicks law, a step opposed by trade unions.

Although the depositions will be conducted behind closed doors, they will be videotaped, and some Republicans are urging that the tapes be released to the public, a step opposed by the White House.