| 17. | Force Majeure. If any party is rendered unable, completely or partially, by the occurrence of an event of "force majeure" (hereinafter defined) to perform such party's obligations created by the provisions of this Agreement, such party shall give to the other parties prompt written notice of the event of "force majeure" with reasonably complete particulars concerning such event; thereupon, the obligations of the party giving such notice, to the extent that those obligations are affected by the event of "force majeure," shall be suspended during, but no longer than, the continuance of the event of "force majeure." The party affected by such event of "force majeure" shall use all reasonable diligence to resolve, eliminate and terminate the event of "force majeure" as quickly as practicable. The requirement that an event of "force majeure" shall be resolved and eliminated with all reasonable diligance, as hereinabove specified, shall not require the settlement of strikes, lockouts or other labor difficulties by the party involved, contrary to such party's wishes, and the resolution of any and all such difficulties shall be handled entirely within the discretion of the party concerned. The term "force majeure" as used herein shall be defined as and mean any act of God, strike, civil disturbance, lockout or other industrial disturbance, act of the public enemy, war, blockade, public riot, earthquake, tornado, hurricane, lightning, fire, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, public demonstration, storm, flood, explosion, freight embargoes, governmental action, governmental delay, restraint or inaction, unavailability of equipment, default of a party's subcontractors or suppliers, and any other cause or event, whether of the kind enumerated specifically herein, or otherwise, which is not reasonably within the control of the party claiming such suspension. |