But new governments in Spain and Poland have signaled greater flexibility, altering the balance of power in Europe and making a new compromise possible.

Earlier on Sunday, during a cabinet meeting, Israel signaled more flexibility on freeing some Palestinian prisoners, including a few involved in attacks against Israelis.

He signals greater patience and flexibility on Iran than he had earlier in the week, saying "diplomacy is just beginning" and "Iran is not Iraq."

A16 Mr. Bush and some advisers signaled new flexibility on debates.

The press's polite way of saying this is that both President and Mrs. Clinton have "signaled flexibility."

Politicians who start by announcing that almost everything is negotiable are fooling themselves, perhaps fatally, if they think they are "signaling flexibility."

But he will signal flexibility about how the provision would be enacted, given its high cost relative to the amount of money available, they said.

So far, though, he isn't signaling much flexibility.

Beginning in the early 90's the British tried to signal flexibility.

But while American officials were signaling new flexibility today on procedural matters like the timing of negotiations, they showed no sign of backing down on the substance.