1.   Throughout the crisis, Copley has sought to downplay the gravity of the situation.

2.   His chief military adviser, Maj. Gen. Tum Sambol, contacted by telephone inside the compound, downplayed the gravity of the worst fighting in Phnom Penh in decades.

3.   And Sacchi made no attempt to downplay the gravity of the situation.

4.   Non-governmental organizations complained that Uruguayan officials have downplayed the gravity of the spill.

5.   Sacchi made no attempt to downplay the gravity of the situation.