1.   Cape Town has been tense over confrontations earlier this month between police and radical Islamic activists.

2.   Northern Ireland is already tense over likely street confrontations next month when the long-dominant Protestant fraternal group, the Orange Order, stages its annual marches.

3.   Relations between the neighboring countries have been tense over Angolan allegations that Zambia is supplying arms to Angolan rebels.

4.   Relations between the two countries have been tense over evidence that President Ernesto Samper won office with drug money.

5.   Relations have grown tense over the appointment of the Panchen Lama, to which both the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government claim the exclusive right.

6.   Relations between Egypt and Israel have become increasingly tense over the lack of progress in the Middle East peace process.

7.   Relations between the government and religious organizations, which have always been tense over government controls, have improved slightly in recent years.

8.   Relations between the two countries have long been tense over a border dispute, and the presidential visit is important to both.

9.   Relations have remained tense over the war-divided eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus.

10.   Relations, however, remain tense over issues such as prisoners of war each side still holds.