1.   A series of settlement discussions ensued.

2.   But a letter entered into the court records showed that Compaq has engaged in settlement discussions with the plaintiffs.

3.   But it is still unclear how the settlement discussions could forward that goal.

4.   But the company has shown some willingness to discuss them in earlier rounds of settlement discussions, according to people close to those talks.

5.   But they acknowledged at a minimum that settlement discussions had resulted in an agreement in principal and that an announcement could come in the next few days.

6.   Connolly said he did not condemn the settlement discussions, though he said more should be added to sweeten the deal from a public health perspective.

7.   Davis demanded Wednesday that he be a party to any settlement discussions.

8.   Even more important, the two sides hope settlement discussions can lead to agreement on a new labor contract.

9.   Gun control supporters hope the bill may eventually figure into settlement discussions with the industry, even if it fails in Congress.

10.   He contended that final settlement discussions were still ongoing.