1.   PDVSA officials said that they remain optimistic that a contract agreement can be reached to avert a strike.

2.   An Iraqi official denied a Russian report that a deal had been reached to avert military action.

3.   He would offer some soothing words, a key concession to get the talks going, and soon a compromise would be reached to avert an all-out trade war.

4.   Kangasniemi said he still hoped an agreement could be reached to avert the strike.

5.   US Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said Tuesday he was confident a deal could be reached to avert a shutdown.