1.   Administration sources say Weld hopes that by eliminating the need for a large traffic interchange with toll plazas at Stockbridge, he can placate local opponents of the connector.

2.   But it remains unclear whether those steps will be enough to placate environmental opponents.

3.   Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott of Mississippi said lawmakers were discussing possible compromises that might placate opponents of the bill.

4.   Berlusconi was attempting to placate political opponents who claim that his media holdings pose a conflict of interest with his ambitions to return as premier.

5.   That did not appear to placate some opponents of the visit.