The information, presented at the trial, came mainly from the teams inside the two companies, whose reports appeared to be far more pessimistic than the company's upbeat public statements.

And in a departure from recent practice, the Council of Economic Advisers included an indirect criticism of interest-rate policy in an otherwise upbeat statement today.

And Dell Computer made upbeat statements late Friday about its business.

The Democratic platform is silent on space issues, but Gov. Michael S. Dukakis has made upbeat statements on the subject.

The report is a counterpoint to some recent upbeat public statements by top American politicians and military officials.

Shares in personal computer maker Psion jumped 19 to 135p after the company held its dividend, despite 1991 losses and issued an upbeat statement about trading prospects.

These announcements were accompanied by a steady stream of upbeat statements from Mr. Yeltsin's ministers and lieutenants, all duly reported by a state television network.

But an upbeat statement from bus and train group Go-Aheadhas changed all that.

Mary's final "yearning for the future" - beyond 1955 - is a purely upbeat, life-affirming statement.

In recent days, Yeltsin aides have issued a series of upbeat statements to impress anxious investors.