Ann: MIN: Extension of Norwest Takeover Offer, page-60

I dont think they would, and I dont know if its legal. The drop in price occurs because market maker demand drops as the abritrage disappears for the take over offer. I suspect most of us have already positioned where we want, but some of us are going to give into the fear leading to sell pressure, so we will likely experience a net sell pressure when the MIN offer nears expiry.

MIN supress the share price by publishing information which increases the perception of risk, and hold back on publishing anything to excite us. Not really by direct trading.