11.   An effort to begin talks on a compromise faltered last week when the Republican leadership in the House lacked the votes to get past a procedural hurdle.

12.   An IMF delegation began talks with Thai officials Monday.

13.   An IMF delegation began talks with Thai officials last Monday.

14.   An IMF team began talks with Thai officials today after the Bangkok government requested help in shoring up its economy and currency.

15.   And it said it would begin talks with all states to determine whether their methods of financing Medicaid complied with federal law.

16.   And on those proposals, there were no signs of agreement as finance ministers and central bankers began their talks this morning.

17.   As he said during the news conference, Barak was more than ready to begin the talks.

18.   At that point, the state and the Oneidas began settlement talks, which yielded mostly accusations of foot-dragging.

19.   Barclays Plc Chief Executive Martin Taylor says the bank has not yet begun talks to sell parts of its BZW investment banking unit.

20.   Bear Stearns then began talks with Green.