Most lenders will also demand similar explicit assurances - in the form of affirmative insurance - for easements and rights of way.

They have said that the United States carries out the renditions only after obtaining explicit assurances from the receiving countries that the prisoners will not be tortured.

Iraqi opposition groups are looking for explicit assurance that Washington will rush to their defense, not simply retaliate militarily at some time in the future.

The only explicit assurance Mr. Ashcroft gave about the scope of the tribunals was that they would be used only for war crimes.

"This action contradicts explicit assurances made to us by Paramount CEO Martin Davis," the memo read.

He must first obtain explicit "assurances" from Moscow that granting a waiver will lead to substantially freer emigration, and must communicate those assurances to Congress.

A United States Embassy official said he could not confirm that such an explicit assurance had been given.

The International Monetary Fund, which recently loaned Russian $10.1 billion, was none too happy either, as the move violated explicit Russian assurances.

Efraim said: "I naturally accept your explicit assurances.

Mr. Yeltsin's order to transfer the funds violated an explicit assurance to the International Monetary Fund, which has lent Russia $10.1 billion.