31.   In advance of the talks, both sides on Thursday waged a pitched debate accusing the other of endangering any chance for a peaceful settlement.

32.   Kosovo Albanians in Germany and Switzerland, where most live in exile, are abandoning hope for a peaceful settlement.

33.   Lebed, who has urged a peaceful settlement in Chechnya, defended Gen. Vyacheslav Tikhomirov, the Russian commander in Chechnya.

34.   Nine rounds of talks over the last few weeks have suggested the two sides may be approaching a peaceful settlement to the crisis.

35.   Nine rounds of talks in the last few weeks raised hopes the two sides may be approaching a peaceful settlement to the crisis.

36.   On the diplomatic front Saturday, Milosevic rejected a plea from leaders of neighboring states who met with him in Belgrade to press the case for a peaceful settlement.

37.   Outside mediators, including leading politicians, were brought in to try to work out a peaceful settlement.

38.   Ovide Mercredi, national chief of the assembly, has sought to negotiate peaceful settlements of the confrontations at Lake Gustafsen and Ipperwash.

39.   PAPUA NEW GUINEA moved towards a peaceful settlement with separatists from the island of Bougainville, thanks largely to the mediation of New Zealand.

40.   Philippine Foreign Minister Domingo Siazon said that the Chinese statements suggested that a peaceful settlement was possible.