31.   A last-minute agreement allowed the talks to proceed Thursday.

32.   Aziz sidestepped questions at an evening press conference about how debt relief talks were proceeding.

33.   But he said he could not provide details on the accord and advised patience as the talks proceed.

34.   But on Friday they said they would have no further comment on how talks were proceeding.

35.   But the government statement indicated differences on how talks should proceed.

36.   But rebels have agreed to short-term cease-fires as the talks proceeded.

37.   Disney and the Hong Kong government have declined to comment on how their talks have been proceeding.

38.   Earlier in the day, DaimlerChrysler co-chairman Robert Eaton said talks were proceeding, but that wages and job security issues were still on the table.

39.   Ethiopia, however, insists on a pullout before face-to-face talks could proceed.

40.   Ethiopia had insisted on a pullout before talks could proceed.