11.   The dispute comes at a particularly delicate time for Delta and its pilots, because the two sides are scheduled to begin negotiations in September on a full-scale contract.

12.   The delay occurred at a delicate time in treaty negotiations, when countries such as India and Pakistan publicly attacked nuclear-armed nations for maintaining atomic arsenals.

13.   The development comes at a delicate time of gradually easing tensions in the wake of the papal visit.

14.   The investigation comes at a delicate time for Lucent, which is based in Murray Hill, N.J.

15.   The question of who was at fault in the Daiwa debacle comes at a delicate time in relations between U.S. and Japanese banking regulators.

16.   The ruling comes at a delicate time for Meara, whose department is investigating the recent homicides of five women.

17.   The walkout comes at a delicate time for Verizon.

18.   The Yankees obviously have several players whom they could not afford to lose at such a delicate time, from Mariano Rivera to Bernie Williams to Jeter.

19.   They are arguing that such a tax would stifle Internet commerce, especially at a delicate time in the dot-com business cycle.

20.   This couple provides a measure of emotional, and at times touchingly delicate, mutual solace, and gives the film much of its substance.