He directed negotiations with South Africa that led to itsdecision to end its nuclear weapons program.

This led to direct negotiations between two men about the future of Serb minority in Croatia.

Israel wants a one-time, ceremonial peace conference that will quickly break up, leading to direct negotiations with the Arab states.

Above all, the Arabs have agreed to direct negotiations with the Jewish state - Israel's central bargaining goal for 40 years and for good reason.

There have been indications that they could progress to direct negotiations with the Crown.

The United States favors an international conference as a prelude to direct negotiations between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

But if the talks are to proceed, Rabinovich said, "they will have to be transformed to direct negotiations."

President Robert Kocharian, above, directed security operations and negotiations.

He endorsed an international conference as a prelude to direct negotiations between Israel and a Jordanian-Palestinian delegation over the future of the occupied territories.

"He must surely realize that an international conference is only an umbrella, but will naturally lead to direct negotiations."