21.   Civil Service Minister Jean Puech started talks with the labor unions yesterday as part of the more consensual approach on which Juppe has insisted.

22.   Delta and its pilots start talks later this year.

23.   Cyprus is already scheduled to start talks.

24.   Discovery and the Nature Company started merger talks a year ago.

25.   French officials, doubtless scenting contracts, started talks with the mullahs, arousing speculation that diplomatic recognition would eventually follow.

26.   Friday the United States was leaning on Israel and the Palestinians to start truce talks, with an eye on helping build a coalition to combat terror.

27.   For the most part, news that the president and congressional leaders are about to start serious talks about national priorities for the next decade is reason to cheer.

28.   He failed, so look for the Isles to start trade talks.

29.   He asked to get the talks started again at an Asian summit meeting in New Zealand.

30.   He said Fox has already started talks with Lt. Gov. Rick Perry of Texas about how Mexicans working there could receive better health care.