"She'll certainly be missed," the aide commented, fishing for more information.

Mr. D'Amato's aides would not comment about the political ramifications of the slaying.

The aides would not comment on how the drug director would gauge his progress here.

Election-Year Problems "Any amount is going to be tough," one aide commented.

"Someone must have told them," his aide commented.

One aide commented: "We need to learn to speak each other's language.

Mrs. Thatcher's aides would not comment on the prospects that the provision would be enforced against the Japanese concerns.

An aide to Mr. Pataki would not comment.

Mr. Kerry's aides would not comment on the exact size of the buy, except to say it would most likely set records.

Yesterday, Mr. Ward's aides said he was at his vacation home and would not comment.