Its announcement ended nearly a year of private talks and behind-the-scenes negotiations among its members.

He was not a lame duck but took a deep interest in the behind-the-scenes negotiations.

After 40 days of behind-the-scenes negotiation he was eventually released, to great relief all round.

Today's developments capped a remarkable week of behind-the-scenes negotiations in Washington.

A day of behind-the-scenes negotiations by the Security Council today produced nothing but a decision that there would be no action.

General Rose has moved quickly to capitalize on the threat in behind-the-scenes negotiations.

Tagliabue said behind-the-scenes negotiations leave him hopeful that an agreement can be reached before the trial.

The key to the success in planning meetings between heads of state is the intense behind-the-scenes negotiations that precede them.

In general, the governor departed from his usual low-key approach to behind-the-scenes negotiations and waged a public relations campaign.

The formation of the coalition indicates that behind-the-scenes negotiations between the networks and the film studios have stalled.