1.   An agreement to buy the unit, NYLCare Health Plans, is expected to be reached within the next few weeks, people close to the deal said Friday.

2.   An agreement was reached within an hour, Gustafson said.

3.   An agreement could be reached within weeks, according to people involved in the talks.

4.   Annan said he thought a deal could be reached within the year.

5.   Axworthy said he expects that number to be reached within a year, which would be an exceptionally short time for ratification of a global treaty of these dimensions.

6.   Barshefsky said the U.S. hopes broad agreement can be reached within APEC to lower tariffs and trade barriers for information technology, wood products, oilseeds and non-ferrous metals.

7.   A deal could be reached within two weeks.

8.   A deal could be reached within a month.

9.   A settlement could be reached within a few weeks, the person said, although the talks could still break down.

10.   A tentative settlement was reached within a day.