1.   But on Friday, NATO leaders softened their conditions, offering to suspend bombing if Milosevic began withdrawing forces from Kosovo.

2.   The tax is absent from House version of the tax bill, though Republican House leaders this week softened their long-standing opposition to a tobacco tax increase.

3.   At the instigation of France, the European leaders softened a German plan for automatic fines.

4.   Church leaders softened in late August, calling for the smaller crosses to be removed but saying the papal cross must remain.

5.   It also gave no indication the Yugoslav leader had softened his hardline stance.

6.   It also gave no indication the Yugoslav leader had softened his hard-line stance.

7.   Mindful of public worries about rising tension with China, leaders have softened their calls for independence.

8.   Union leaders reportedly softened their position after the government outlawed the strikes and threatened to deal sternly with them.

9.   According to diplomatic sources, the leader has now softened his once-vitriolic attitude towards Russia.