81.   The two potential partners have been discussing a merger for more than a month.

82.   The two have discussed possible mergers in the past.

83.   The Wall Street Journal reported today that the companies are discussing a merger, citing people familiar with the talks.

84.   These potential partners began discussing a merger last fall.

85.   Warburg and Morgan Stanley announced in early December they were discussing a merger that would create a financial giant with enormous clout on both sides of the Atlantic.

86.   Industry observers agree basic issues such as heavy debts, bloated work forces and outmoded management principles should be solved before mergers are discussed.

87.   A meeting to discuss the merger was held here Tuesday, he added.

88.   An earlier possible suitor, Scottish Power, admitted last month that it had discussed a merger at one point but was no longer interested.

89.   Two months ago the newspaper had revealed that the two groups were discussing a merger.

90.   Reports have said Apple is discussing a merger, possibly with Sun Microsystems.