11.  On the diplomatic front, negotiations were continuing over access to bases and airspace near Afghanistan.

12.  On the diplomatic front, the Mexican government has made clear it does not want trade pacts used to air Maxi-Switch-style disputes.

13.  On the diplomatic front, Vice President Al Gore spoke with Russian special envoy Viktor Chernomyrdin for an hour by telephone.

14.  On the diplomatic front, Bush needs to ensure that the international effort to rebuild war-torn Afghanistan will advance as the campaign against terrorism continues.

15.  On the diplomatic front, her announcement aimed to warn Castro not to even try to engineer Mariel II.

16.  On the diplomatic front, the U.S. ambassador, Adm. Joseph W. Prueher, was expected to meet on Monday with Chinese Foreign Ministry officials.

17.  On the diplomatic front, Sharon said that he and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres had discussed a proposed peace plan drawn up by Peres.

18.  Powell has become a key player on the diplomatic front in the global campaign against terrorism.

19.  Talbott was scheduled to brief NATO officials on the diplomatic front at alliance headquarters in Brussels on Friday.

20.  The administration clearly had gained some ground on the diplomatic front.