1. PDVSA officials said that they remain optimistic that a contract agreement can be reached to avert a strike. 2. An Iraqi official denied a Russian report that a deal had been reached to avert military action. 3. He would offer some soothing words, a key concession to get the talks going, and soon a compromise would be reached to avert an all-out trade war. 4. Kangasniemi said he still hoped an agreement could be reached to avert the strike. 5. US Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said Tuesday he was confident a deal could be reached to avert a shutdown. |