1.   Even though Christopher was in the Middle East just two weeks ago, the official said Christopher felt compelled to return to keep the indirect talks alive.

2.   In recent interviews, American, Syrian and Israeli diplomats reported slow, unsteady but unmistakable progress in the indirect talks.

3.   Indirect talks had not worked, and direct talks were not then feasible.

4.   After indirect talks between the two sides ended bitterly last week in the Algeria, Ethiopian officials warned ominously of a return to war, sparking the current crisis.

5.   Agani said indirect talks should continue instead.

6.   Both sides were cautious about the prospects of the indirect talks, after the failure of similar contacts in the past two years.

7.   Both sides have been trying to reach a settlement through indirect talks.

8.   But he sounded anything but conciliatory before the indirect talks began.

9.   Delegations from Ethiopia and Eritrea opened indirect talks Monday at the State Department on issues remaining after they agreed to stop fighting last month, department spokesman said.

10.   Ethiopia reportedly issued new demands for international peacekeepers Sunday as it resumed indirect talks with Eritrea to resolve a two-year border war.