In some cases it is said that elected opposition officials have tried to impede or close existing Missions.

The tear gas was fired at a march by about 1,000 market women in the business district, an opposition official said.

"We were told that the president has made up his mind: Saddam has got to go," one opposition official recalled.

Many people had now gone into hiding, including journalists, labor leaders, opposition officials and soldiers loyal to the losing side.

But even opposition officials acknowledge that the anxiety about whites still simmers in some places.

The journalists and opposition officials, who say they were misled, have acknowledged that the story turned out not to be true.

One opposition official stated that they had information he may have been in Latakia for days.

After hours of negotiations, the Government agreed to a recount in the presence of opposition officials.

And today, opposition officials in both states complained of systematic Government pressure on the voters.

Senior opposition officials emphasize that the party remains committed to nonviolence and to the parliamentary system.