21.   The talks were nearing conclusion amid growing signs that a first direct meeting between Netanyahu and Arafat will take place this week.

22.   With the peace talks nearing their conclusion, attention has also focussed on indictments for war crimes leveled against Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic and army commander Ratko Mladic.

23.   The case was nearing its conclusion at the time of the attack.