But Pentagon aides said that a handful of senior positions had been filled.

By all accounts, Pentagon aides said, it was persuasive.

They would not say how much money may have been used to bribe Pentagon aides, nor whether uniformed officers were under investigation.

"It's the kind of deep-think intellectual thing that would appeal to him," one senior Pentagon aide said.

The investigation involves Pentagon aides and some of the nation's largest military contractors.

Pentagon aides have said privately for several weeks that the total force would exceed 400,000.

Pentagon aides knew within an hour after the plane was reported missing that the pilot was alive.

"We'd much rather be safe than sorry," said a senior Pentagon aide.

Pentagon aides have described the omission as an administrative oversight.

"There is no question that military action is less effective than getting the inspections going again," said one senior Pentagon aide.

But Pentagon aides said that a handful of senior positions had been filled.

By all accounts, Pentagon aides said, it was persuasive.

They would not say how much money may have been used to bribe Pentagon aides, nor whether uniformed officers were under investigation.

"It's the kind of deep-think intellectual thing that would appeal to him," one senior Pentagon aide said.

The investigation involves Pentagon aides and some of the nation's largest military contractors.

Pentagon aides have said privately for several weeks that the total force would exceed 400,000.

Pentagon aides knew within an hour after the plane was reported missing that the pilot was alive.

"We'd much rather be safe than sorry," said a senior Pentagon aide.

Pentagon aides have described the omission as an administrative oversight.

"There is no question that military action is less effective than getting the inspections going again," said one senior Pentagon aide.