THE POSITIVE NEWS IS"THAT PROGRESS WOULD BE THAT WE HAVE OPENED NEGOTIATIONS" . The more i read this article , this is the line that counts ,and there is no substance what so ever in it.the rest is bleating that they're not loved ,a status report ,and discrediting suitors. its a plea of desperation ,he knows Hoffman would be a preffered purchaser of Higgs through local connections ,the same for the council. So by holding Hoffman off,this one line is designed to a,) suggest to us they can get ahead of hoffman in respect to Higgs,b,)Embarrass Higgs /Council to talk to them,they have no idea how unwanted they are .