"There is a fairly compelling set of economics that underpin a search partnership," declared Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in an interview just published by BusinessWeek. He was referring to the fact that Microsoft is still interested in buying all or part of Yahoo.

Of Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz (pictured), Ballmer said" "When she is ready, we will have a discussion."

Bartz in turn has already gone on record as saying that any talks with Microsoft will be private, and not public exchanges in the press.