But it denied that it had entered indirect negotiations with Israel on the issue.

The prisoners will not be returned except through one way: indirect negotiations and a trade of prisoners.

The defeated Arab states, fearful of being picked off one by one, insisted on indirect and collective negotiations.

Mr. Ortega has insisted that the indirect negotiations will only be about a cease-fire and will not include political matters.

At the time, the two countries were already laying the groundwork for the indirect negotiations.

Those talks, despite their last-minute collapse over border disputes, among other issues, provided the backbone for the recent indirect negotiations.

The measures announced tonight by Nicaragua, including a willingness to enter into indirect negotiations with rebel leaders, had been the most eagerly awaited.

"There are no secret negotiations, direct or indirect, with Iraq over this question," Mr. Bush said.

There are no negotiations, either direct or indirect, with the Gaddafi regime.

The fact is that I have been able, through some difficult and indirect negotiation, to arrange a deal with the Watch-station murderer.