21.   Taipei also downplayed the possibility of expanded Chinese war games in the Taiwan Straits, which separates the mainland from the island.

22.   The cause of the crash remained a mystery, although officials in Ottawa and Washington were quick to downplay the possibility of a terrorist bomb.

23.   The federal agency still is considering whether to fine Boeing for its aircraft production errors but a senior FAA official downplayed the possibility.

24.   The Forbes campaign has itself has been downplaying the possibility of a top-three finish.

25.   There have also been reports of strengthened ties with Lehman Bros., but Fidelity executives downplayed that possibility.

26.   There has been speculation that Osama bin Laden may have been killed in the attack, though several in the Pentagon have downplayed that possibility.

27.   Throughout the trial, Hammer had tried to downplay the possibility of a murder conviction, repeatedly reminding reporters that murder convictions in dog maulings are rare.

28.   Tom Dunn, spokesman for the New York State Education Department, downplayed the possibility of new schools being built near toxic waste sites.

29.   Traders downplayed the possibility.

30.   White House spokesman Michael McCurry, asked Thursday whether Clinton was concerned that the strong criticism by Catholic leaders would imperil his re-election chances, downplayed the possibility.