11.   In his years in the labor world and in management, Ruttenberg was a perennial advocate of improving ties between the two sides.

12.   In recent years China has worked hard to improve its ties with India, as well as to preserve its longstanding friendship with Pakistan.

13.   Iran has invited all the heads of Muslim states, including those it once considered enemies, to the summit in a bid to improve ties.

14.   Iranian reformers are also ruffled by the rhetoric of those U.S. policy makers implacably opposed to improving ties with the current Iran.

15.   Iran has made marked progress in improving ties with other countries.

16.   It was a showcase for Fox, and an opportunity to renew efforts to improve ties with the United States and convince Washington to change immigration policies.

17.   Jiang encouraged North Korea to improve ties with the United States and Japan and to continue to work on reunification with its longtime rival, South Korea.

18.   Last week, Mubarak announced that Egypt, despite urging from the United States, would not attend an economic meeting geared toward improving ties with Israel.

19.   Netanyahu was perceived as tough, but basically pragmatic, and determined to improve ties with Jordan and Egypt.

20.   Next, Mexico wants to improve its ties with Latin America, which NAFTA caused it to neglect.