1.   Judging from the drumbeat of developments in the last few years, one might think that the search was nearing a successful close.

2.   Secretary of State Warren Christopher is considering postponing a long-planned visit to Japan this week to try to bring the Bosnia peace negotiations to a successful close.

3.   The investigation into the drunken melee involving New York City police officers in Washington, D.C., last spring has come to a successful close.

4.   With the service module now essentially constructed and its mission to Mir drawn to a successful close on Friday, NASA was eager to look on the bright side.