It is strongly believed, for example, that Guy Bennett, an art advisor acting on behalf of the Qataris, negotiated third-party guarantees on the top lots at both Christie's and Sotheby's recent contemporary auctions in New York.
In the meantime, there was the small matter of Storm Frank to negotiate first.
The Lib Dems would negotiate first with this party, he indicated.
Mr. Clegg has won plaudits from many of Britain's major newspapers for sticking to a campaign pledge to negotiate first with the Conservatives.
Iran's nuclear program "is the most difficult national security issue facing the United States," Mr. Burns said, adding: "While we should preserve the use of force as a last resort, negotiating first with Iran makes sense.
In order to secure passage of its budget for 2003, the government was forced to negotiate, first with the Progress Party, then with the formerly dominant Labour Party and the Socialist Left.
"My style is to partner first and pound later, to open discussion up, not shut it down, to work it out before going to war, to negotiate first and to rumble later, to motivate," he said.
The key is always to negotiate, first.
