1.   Although the two men seemed unable to establish a personal rapport, their teams of advisers achieved their modest goal of sidestepping problems and maintaining a cordial tone.

2.   In its cordial tone, the handwritten note could be any warmhearted missive sent from one pen pal to another.

3.   Rep. Porter Goss, R-Fla., who is chairman of the House intelligence committee, said he was surprised at the cordial tone of the first hearing.

4.   Zhu struck a more cordial tone for Albright.