1.   Diplomats expressed optimism about the progress of the talks.

2.   And some diplomats expressed optimism that the Vietnamese will not allow protectionism to get in the way of road safety.

3.   Alliance officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday, but Western diplomats expressed relief at the agreement over the troops.

4.   But Arab diplomats have expressed concern that the delay caused by the debate was playing into the hands of extremists.

5.   But other diplomats expressed more caution.

6.   But some diplomats expressed concern at the timing of the charges of increased smuggling.

7.   But senior Latin American diplomats here expressed concern that the tough language by Pickering and other American officials might be having a negative effect.

8.   Diplomats have expressed fears in the last few weeks that violence may lie just beneath the surface now.

9.   Diplomats on Thursday expressed hope that Russia might be persuaded to change its position on the elections.

10.   Diplomats expressed guarded hope for the talks in view of the week of skirmishes, ultimatums and the pushing of several thousand people from their houses.