1.   After their meeting, both men described the talks as frank, friendly and constructive.

2.   He described talk of sackings as scare stories.

3.   The talks were described as exploratory, with the aim of establishing a basis for negotiations.

4.   Wilson described the talks as splendid and said that all sides had engaged in hard, thorough and committed work but all parties observed diplomatic silence on details.

5.   Harbah described the talks as productive.

6.   Administration officials adamantly refused to describe talks over whether American drug agents would be permitted to carry sidearms in Mexico.

7.   British and Irish officials described the talks announced by Gerry Adams as a breakthrough in the Northern Ireland peace process.

8.   But today, it seemed, cardinals were giving interviews left and right, describing the talks with their fellow prelates.

9.   Describing their talks to reporters, the two leaders declared a new-found comity in their negotiations.

10.   However, Parcells described the talk as an innocent outgrowth of an emotional reunion.