1.   The negotiators were nearing a decision.

2.   Domenici said negotiators neared agreement today on some areas of so-called mandatory or entitlement spending other than the big-ticket items of Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid.

3.   Israeli and Palestinian negotiators neared an elusive interim peace accord Thursday after each side gained concessions on land and security during marathon sessions with President Clinton.

4.   Rabe seemed hopeful the negotiators were nearing a resolution.

5.   Earlier Tuesday, Bar Illan said Israeli and Palestinian negotiators were nearing agreement on a much-awaited first meeting between Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

6.   On Saturday, however, U.S. officials indicated negotiators were nearing a compromise.

7.   Senate negotiators neared a compromise on national testing and other steps to raise student performance but were unable to agree on how much money schools should get.