Errr, I'm rather busy so I don't have time to take too close a look,
but if I remember correctly comment() will match any comment node.  It
depends on your parser if the comments would even make it to your
parser.

What parser/xslt processor/system are you using (version numbers as well)?

ps.  From a quick glance it looks like you're already heading down a
bad path...try reworking so you have more templates and
apply-templates.  Otherwise it's bad practice to always depend on
where a comment in an xml document will be.  Of course, I realize we
don't always get to choose our inputs.


Jon Gorman