The official said the materials were turned over to the agents in the presence of hotel officials.

The security people, according to hotel officials, were worried about the possibility of an assassination attempt or some other terrorist act.

About half of the hotel's 353 rooms have been turned over to Russians, according to a hotel official.

He added that fitness rooms, which some hotel officials still regard as white elephants, were getting much more use from business travelers than ever before.

Blocked at all exits by hotel officials, he heads into a high school reunion to seek refuge.

The blast occurred just after some 60 visitors had checked into the hotel, all of them from Israel, hotel officials said.

The hotel officials went about removing the door.

If you complain, hotel officials laugh at you because "no one steals in our country."

And Dale Dugan, a hotel official, couldn't worry about it.

Smoking in a public room is not allowed at the St. Regis, according to hotel officials.