On Tue, 1 Jun 2004 20:11:47 -0400, "Kevin Brooks"
wrote:

While I generally agree with your critique in terms of the usual
journalistic twisting of words, the MoD quote does allow leeway for them to
say later, "Well, we relooked at our requirements and decided we *really*
did not need 232 of these aircraft, that 180 is just fine..." or some such
drivel.

If so, then it would be easier to just not order Tranche 3, rather
than ordering all 232 and then immediately selling some on. That's why
it tripped my BS meter.

Peter Kemp