We do not seek to somehow complicate the resolution or to create artificial barriers standing in the way of agreeing a common resolution.

CNN: Moscow talks stumble over Iraq

"A favourable resolution of this long-standing dispute between Fannie Mae and Bank of America is in the best interest of taxpayers, " said Bradley Lerman at Fannie Mae.

BBC: Bank of America sign

Russia's natural resources minister Jurij Trutnev, meanwhile, has been making optimistic noises in recent weeks about the likelihood of a resolution of a long-standing border dispute between the two nations over a 155, 000 square kilometres "grey area" in the Barents Sea.

BBC: Arctic landscape

"Let's pray for a peaceful and swift resolution, " he added to a standing ovation, and paid tribute to a friend serving in Kuwait.

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