"I guess if we suddenly see Cliff, Gloria and Carl acquiring shares, it might be more of a sure thing that dividends will be forthcoming. "

Don't they have to individually file an SEC form (Form 4) albeit after the fact?
http://www.secform4.com/insider-trading/836564.htm

Wouldn't that also be Insider Trading, since they are the ones who will decide to pay the dividend, if any? If they buy AFTER such an announcement (including adequate time for the announcement to be circulated to the public) they'd presumably be in the clear.

Isn't there some SEC rule on what constitutes "adequate time"?

Both these are "old" but may still be pertinent:

http://www.bowne.com/securitiesconnect/details.asp?storyID=197
This is how Mozilo, Sambol et alia at Countrywide claimed they use a proactive "plan" and not insider knowledge when they sold out.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071206095628AAOAvGZ
"There are no official rules, it all comes down to litigation and litigious actions. Windows will usually close prior to earning release until the PR is out, it will also close depending on what management assume is material information known by the staff and managment, it will close prior to any materail press releases. It's up to managment to fix its own policy and to determine what is material information. Most officers will be locked 75% of the time, between PR and earning release the window is pretty narrow. Officers can sell stock using a 10B plan that allow for planned sales"