1.   A source close to the defense team said the no contest plea was a key element in plea bargain negotiations.

2.   Federal prosecutors and lawyers for Robert Hanssen, the FBI agent charged with spying for Russia, have opened plea bargain negotiations, government officials said on Tuesday.

3.   Government officials said they also have the option of resuming plea bargain negotiations or of dropping the charge and trying to deport al-Sayegh to Saudi Arabia.

4.   Their indictment followed the collapse of plea bargain negotiations with them.