101.   Some believe the rebel attacks were aimed at pressuring the government and weakening its negotiating position.

102.   Summit signals tougher negotiating positions.

103.   That added to Palestinian fears that Syria and Lebanon might conclude peace deals with Israel, ultimately weakening the Palestinian negotiating position with the Jewish state.

104.   The Arab diplomats here said the shuttle by Khaddam and al-Sharaa and the hoped-for summit are aimed at rallying Arabs behind the Syrian negotiating position.

105.   The government offensive was seen as a clear attempt to bring the entire city under its control and strengthen its negotiating position.

106.   The former dentist has an enviable negotiating position as the House prepares to consider the matter as early as next week.

107.   The foes met for slightly more than an hour on Friday afternoon, during which government representatives gave the rebels a document outlining their negotiating position.

108.   The Palestinians, however, are not interested in any more interim steps, wrote Abed Rabbo in a two-page explanation of the Palestinian negotiating position.

109.   The president of Congress, Carlos Garcia, said Saturday night that the rebel attacks appeared aimed at pressuring the government and weakening its negotiating position.

110.   The talks stalled Wednesday after Khartoum presented as its negotiating position an agreement it signed in April with six smaller rebel groups.