Tribal elders and Afghanistan intelligence officials told the BBC they had pleaded to be given more time to negotiate with the captors but their requests had been refused.

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Even the IRS Commissioner pleaded with Congressional leaders that it had to be fixed asap or risk major upheaval for 21 million more taxpayers.

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He would find the courthouse a lonely place to be, everyone, with the exception of Abdulwahab, pleaded guilty and were prepared to testify against the two remaining defendants.

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In a recent meeting with the FSC's Lee Hun Jai a Samsung executive pleaded that the company be allowed "an honorable retreat" from automobiles.

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Hamid Karzai, the president, who has many times pleaded with America to take more care to avoid killing Afghan civilians, wants its troops to be made accountable for any errors they may make.

ECONOMIST: Another blow to the war to win hearts and minds

Ms Fleming, a former university lecturer, pleaded last month with a specially-convened hearing to spare her a horrible death and let her be helped to die lawfully with dignity, surrounded by her family.

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He pleaded guilty to obstructing justice in 2002 but has yet to be sentenced, because he has been co-operating with the prosecution in the case against Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling, top executives at Enron.

ECONOMIST: Better late than never? Tell that to Arthur Andersen