But Iraqi officials are balking at any delay.

Russian officials balked at accepting the spent fuel, saying they had their own environmental laws to worry about.

But it said federal officials balked because United had not shown deep concessions from employees and suppliers.

It was not known immediately whether the officials would balk at leaving office.

But most local officials balk at the prospect of any state tampering with Connecticut law, which gives local zoning power to the municipalities.

But officials are balking at giving international inspectors unimpeded access to the plant that will produce the nuclear fuel.

Firm Stand on Currency So far, however, officials have balked at almost every request.

But federal officials balked at some of the efforts, like a new ferry terminal in Hoboken, N.J., that clearly had little relationship to Sept. 11.

But that plan was stalled when Philippine officials balked, saying their Constitution did not permit foreign troops to carry out combat missions.

The two officials balked at signing each of the millions of notes and a large group of Treasury clerks was assembled.