1.   Although the agreement apparently defused the immediate crisis, fundamental differences over the inspection program remain unresolved.

2.   Although the agreement apparently defused the current crisis, fundamental differences over the inspection program remain unresolved.

3.   Israel, in turn, benefits because the agreement defuses the potential threat of a unilateral Palestinian declaration of independence.

4.   South Korean officials say the agreement considerably defused tensions on the peninsula, giving new impetus to their policy of engaging North Korea.

5.   The agreement defused a tense standoff between Serbs and French peacekeepers at a checkpoint on the road.

6.   The agreement defused a tense standoff between Serbs and French peacekeepers testing wills at a checkpoint on the road.

7.   U.S. officials said an agreement would defuse pressure from developing countries and other U.N. members who feel the sanctions are making Iraqi civilians suffer unfairly.

8.   A flood of South Korean companies have gone North to discuss investment opportunities since the October Washington-Pyongyang nuclear agreement partially defused tension on the peninsula.