Safe,

I think you're right about taking a hard stance in 3rd world negotiations....These governments want to look "tough" to their people in any dealings with the wealthy Devil" countries (especially the Evil Empire of "Dubya" and the large Oil sucking companies!)

In these countries, the bidding (or haggling) starts off impossibly high, and then works its way down "with honor" in the price...negotiations usually conclude with both parties gaining respect for each other (if they don't get too uppity, or start a pissing match with each other...I don't think ARU's management conducts themselves this way!) and end with a price of about half of what they started asking for...

Just my thoughts about the barginning process that's about to start

Long for Cash