"Because it's my own business, I don't have to make creative compromises," he said.

He was a remarkably adroit politician, with a flair for resolving conflicts through more or less creative compromises.

But Mr. Starr is so intent on having the 23 grand jurors hear the President's testimony in person and question Mr. Clinton that he is exploring creative compromises.

He is the man, after all, who made his reputation by finding creative compromises to thorny public issues.

Some creative compromises in language will be needed if the hopes in Taipei and Beijing for renewed dialogue later this year, with a new president of Taiwan, are to be realized.

In recent weeks, Mr. Corzine has also made more noise, prompting speculation that he, Mr. Codey or Mr. Roberts might try to find a creative compromise soon.

A creative compromise would give impetus to the next negotiating round scheduled to start just five days later.

It became clear that without creative compromise, there would not be adequate resources to compensate Ed and Eleanor.

I think that, for the vexed question of prior approval for hospital care, a very creative compromise has been reached that is to the advantage of both the patient and the health insurer.

Another creative compromise that will probably be controversial is the decision not to use the films Zimmermann calls for in the opera's phantasmagoric finale.