Boeing officials said at the time that their goal was to have a third of the company's revenue coming from nontraditional areas by 1980.

Boeing officials defended it by saying the engineers used the best tools available at the time.

Boeing officials said this week that they were still committed to the tanker deal.

Boeing officials have said they will not consider using replacement workers because of safety concerns.

Boeing officials could not be reached for comment on Friday evening.

Boeing officials expressed optimism that a contract will be signed.

Even so, Boeing officials predicted the plan would be approved.

Boeing officials could not be reached for comment tonight.

Boeing officials said they were surprised and upset at the contract rejection.

Boeing officials said the deal could set a precedent of assisting a foreign competitor.