A Treasury official said it had not been decided if that would be allowed.

Treasury officials say they have used surveys to see how people use different services.

"You'll hear about that later on," the senior Treasury official said today.

"In the past, there has been no political will to make these decisions," a Treasury official said.

But one study, published while he was a Treasury official, brought him considerable public attention.

"This means that they can begin the process," said a Treasury official, who asked not to be identified.

Treasury officials said they had seen very good cooperation from Pakistan.

Treasury officials say Brazil can make it through its crisis.

"We are deeply concerned about the information," a senior Treasury official said.

But a senior Treasury official not involved in the case gave a different picture of the mood on the department's executive floor.