11.   The activists said U.S. military involvement in efforts to crush the elusive rebels could exacerbate the conflict.

12.   The border conflict has been exacerbated by a trading rift last year when Eritea abandoned the Ethiopian birr and set up its own currency, the nakfa.

13.   Security forces which took sides have been blamed by analysts for exacerbating the conflict.

14.   SPD chief Rudolf Scharping said Germany should beware of using means which might exacerbate the conflict in Bosnia.