11.   The dispute over the Kuril Islands long has marred relations between Russia and Japan, preventing them from signing a treaty to formally end their wartime hostilities.

12.   The dispute long has marred relations between Tokyo and Moscow, preventing the sides from signing a comprehensive peace treaty ending World War II hostilities.

13.   The dispute over the Kuril Islands long has marred relations between the two nations.

14.   The dispute has long marred relations between Russia and Japan.

15.   The United States welcomed Wednesday plans by Balkan neighbors Bulgaria and Macedonia to sign next week a joint declaration settling long-standing differences that have marred their relations.

16.   The territorial dispute long has marred relations between Tokyo and Moscow, preventing the two countries from signing a comprehensive peace treaty ending World War II hostilities.

17.   The two issues have marred relations and held up talks on a visit for years.

18.   Their relations also are marred by long standing border disputes.

19.   This is the latest in a series of territorial disputes that continue to mar relations between Hanoi and Beijing.

20.   Top Russian defense officials Thursday fiercely rejected U.S. charges that Russia is spreading missile technologies to Iran and North Korea and warned the allegation could deeply mar relations.