1.   At the end of the interview, Fadlallah seemed to soften his statements somewhat.

2.   Earlier this year, Gov. Rick Perry indicated he also opposed specific protections for homosexuals, but his office later tried to soften his statements.

3.   In the spirit of detente, Unser was given the chance to soften his statements.

4.   So they tried to soften his statement while letting it stand, thereby enraging Beijing further.

5.   Arafat softened his statements Monday, saying that the Palestinians had made peace their strategic choice and that they remained committed to the Wye agreement.

6.   Arafat softened his statement Monday, saying that the Palestinians had made peace their strategic choice and that they remained committed to the Wye agreement.

7.   Arafat softened his statement Monday, saying the Palestinians had made peace their strategic choice and that they remained committed to the Wye agreement.

8.   Arafat softened his statements Monday, saying the Palestinians had made peace their strategic choice and that they remained committed to the Wye agreement.

9.   As pre-summit consultations have gathered steam over the past few weeks, Russian officials have softened their statements on the ABM issue.

10.   However, Russian officials recently have been softening their statements on the issue, suggesting new flexibility.