The letter from the Iraqi Foreign Minister, Naji Sabri, was sent to Mr Annan on Thursday inviting the chief inspector, Hans Blix, for what was called "technical talks".

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Discussion is getting somewhat technical, with talks about the power used by various channels.

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Trade negotiators in Geneva made modest progress on technical details, but the overall talks stalled.

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He has already held talks with the head of the technical department at the Harland and Wolff shipyard, where the original liner, which sank in 1912, was built.

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International expertise in the highly technical process of supervising a ceasefire, holding peace talks and organising elections will be needed, though it is sure to be available if sought.

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Union negotiators hope to resume contract talks soon on behalf of the 7, 400 technical workers, he said.

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Before the talks in Sochi, Syria's president had spoken of the need to speed up military and technical co-operation with Russia.

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