11.   A good accord is now within reach.

12.   A meeting between Clinton and Republican congressional leaders today raised expectations that an accord may be near.

13.   A top Senate Republican says a balanced-budget accord is still possible, but would have to be wrapped up over the next several weeks.

14.   Accord should be a place of peace.

15.   All sides agree an accord is still possible, but none consider it highly likely, if only because the negotiators are dealing with so many other issues.

16.   Bush himself Monday was clearly trying to signal that the strategic accord is evidence of a profound new beginning with Russia.

17.   But a Start III accord is not possible while the two sides are at loggerheads over missile defenses.

18.   But American and Egyptian officials were still saying in the late afternoon that an accord might still be weeks away.

19.   But several labor experts said the accord was a draw because the union had to swallow a lower starting salary, even as it received a respectable wage increase.

20.   But the accord was short-lived.