1.   Diplomats speculated that Assad may have come to Geneva with unrealistic expectations of what Barak was prepared to offer.

2.   Diplomats speculate Castro ultimately decided it would help him calm some of the internal discontent in Cuba.

3.   Diplomats speculate that Suharto might take a giant first step later this year by withdrawing up to two thirds of Indonesian troops from East Timor.

4.   Diplomats speculate that in return for cooling the rebellion by the Shan minority against Burma, Khun Sa will be allowed to keep a hand in the opium trade.

5.   Diplomats speculated that Chirac might choose Philippe Seguin, president of the National Assembly in the last session, in a bid to stave off defeat on Sunday.

6.   Demaci refused to attend the peace talks, and diplomats speculated he had told Thaci to remember that independence of Kosovo was the immediate goal.

7.   Foreign diplomats speculate that Cuba, facing great economic difficulties, has the desire, and may have an opportunity, to improve relations.

8.   Several diplomats speculated that the Iraqi President may be more out of touch or under strain than outsiders thought.

9.   Some diplomats speculated he had suffered a stroke.

10.   The reason for the pattern is not known, but Western diplomats here have speculated that the Serbs clear out certain areas for military purposes.