11.   Aides said the president would open the talks between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk Charaa but will not lead them.

12.   All he has agreed to do, one diplomat said, is to open talks with Rugova.

13.   But the Marlins appear set on dealing Kevin Brown before they open talks for Leiter.

14.   But Toledo, who denies the charges, has quietly sent emissaries to aides of Montesinos to open talks with him.

15.   But wait until emotions subside before opening talks.

16.   Coliseum Commission President Sheldon Sloan said he was disappointed, but remained prepared to open talks with the NFL about bringing football back to the city.

17.   Delta and ALPA opened contract talks in September, six months ahead of schedule by mutual agreement.

18.   Delta has opened preliminary talks with Continental Airlines and Northwest Airlines, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

19.   EchoStar is likely to open talks with satellite-TV provider Primestar Partners LP, analysts have said.

20.   Durham said American would like to open contract talks with the union ahead of schedule.