1.   Relations between the Aristide government and what remains of the military have been particularly tense since the day after Christmas, when dozens of soldiers stormed military headquarters here.

2.   Relations between Russia and Ukraine have been tense since the break-up of the former Soviet Union.

3.   Relations between them had been tense since January, when Yasay testified that Estrada had pressed him to clear Tan.

4.   The debate has been especially tense since the beating last month of two day laborers who were lured to an abandoned factory and attacked.

5.   The two countries, old enemies, have been tense since India and then Pakistan set off nuclear explosions last month.

6.   Meanwhile, relations between China and Japan have been tense since a territorial dispute over a group of islands in the East China Sea flared up over the summer.

7.   Relations between the two countries have been particularly tense since both exploded nuclear devices.

8.   Relations between China and Japan have been tense since a territorial dispute over a group of islands in the East China Sea flared up over the summer.

9.   Security forces have been especially tense since last Sunday when a band of German neo-Nazis wracked havoc on Lens.