1.   The incident came as tense Georgian-Russian relations appeared to be improving.

2.   The incident came as the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council asked Israel to withdraw its forces from two Palestinian towns in the West Bank.

3.   The incident came as Russia was pulling its last combat troops out of Chechnya.

4.   The incidents came as Chechens began voting for a leader of the secessionist republic and for representatives to Russian parliament.

5.   The incident came as Chechens began voting for a leader of the secessionist republic and for representatives to Russian parliament.

6.   The incident came as the government was backing down in a conflict over a proposed road construction project.

7.   The incident came as Russia was pulling its last troops out of Chechnya.

8.   The violent incidents came as German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer began talks.

9.   The two incidents came as Sharon flew to the United States for a Thursday meeting with Bush, his fourth in the past year.

10.   The violent incidents came as German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer held a second day of talks with Israeli and Palestinian officials.