1.   Even before the murders, the British government had taken some constructive steps to defuse the tension.

2.   In recent days, the cruise industry has taken several steps to defuse concern over crimes on board ships.

3.   Mubarak told reporters on Tuesday that he urged Netanyahu three times last week to take steps to defuse Arab-Israeli tensions.

4.   Now North Korea has taken a step to defuse the crisis by repatriating the remains of the dead American crewman.

5.   The legislative sponsors also have taken steps to defuse some potential fights.

6.   Many leaders appealed to Musharraf and Vajpayee to take steps to defuse their conflict before it ignites an outright war.

7.   Many leaders appealed to Musharraf and Vajpayee to take steps to defuse their conflict before it ignites a full-fledged war.

8.   So even though it was a very tough day, we do believe that both sides tried to take some steps to defuse the violence.

9.   Such a step could defuse the crisis that has led to threatened American attacks on Iraq and a buildup of U.S. military forces in the Gulf.

10.   Such a step could defuse the crisis over arms inspections that has led to threatened American attacks on Iraq and a buildup of U.S. military forces in the Gulf.