61.   This year, the stakes are higher and the Catalans are in a stronger negotiating position.

62.   This success puts the U.S. in a difficult negotiating position.

63.   Though administration officials declined to discuss their negotiating position, they said that Bush has focused for months on improving, rather than increasing, foreign aid.

64.   Whether that number is realistic or merely a negotiating position is a matter of debate within the Georgia delegation.

65.   With the economy roaring, the United States is now in a better negotiating position with its trading partners than it has been in decades.

66.   Palestinians reacted angrily to the reported Israeli negotiating position.

67.   A panel of intermediaries, including Peruvian Archbishop Juan Luis Cipriani and Canadian Ambassador Anthony Vincent, has been trying to get both sides to soften their negotiating positions.

68.   Analyst Carlos Franco, a one-time leftist rebel with a different group, said the FARC is using the attacks to demonstrate military strength and improve its negotiating position.

69.   And in case they attend, their negotiating position is firm.

70.   Angolan officials relayed negotiating positions to delegations in separate rooms, he said.