1.   There had by this stage been seven rounds of preliminary talks designed to arrange such a meeting.

2.   Further preliminary talks were arranged for December.

3.   Preliminary talks were held in July between a separatist delegation led by Kabui and representatives of the government including Foreign Minister Michael Somare and Justice Minister Bernard Narakobi.

4.   Also, he said, preliminary talks have begun with NFL owners about whether the two could win the right to buy a franchise.

5.   An additional round of preliminary talks will take place Monday, then the talks will adjourn until September, when proponents of the process hope to begin substantive negotiations.

6.   Boeing, which has struggled to keep up with record business, acknowledged today that it is in preliminary talks with McDonnell Douglas about sharing some work.

7.   Boeing, which has struggled to keep up with record plane orders, acknowledged today that it is in preliminary talks with McDonnell Douglas about sharing some work.

8.   Boeing, which has struggled to keep up with record orders, acknowledged today that it is in preliminary talks with McDonnell Douglas about sharing some work.

9.   A lawyer for Rose and attorneys for baseball held preliminary talks in the last week, major league baseball spokesman Rich Levin said.

10.   A Minneapolis television station and Dow Jones News Service reported that American and Northwest executives have had preliminary talks.