21.   Taken aback by the ferocity of the reaction, the administration moved in recent weeks to lessen tensions.

22.   The freeing of one of the hostages appeared to lessen tensions somewhat.

23.   The plunge in the size of the surplus in recent months has tended to lessen tension between Japan and its trading partners and support the dollar against the yen.

24.   However the defence minister sought to lessen tension Wednesday when he hinted Taiwan might call off military exercises planned for October.

25.   Earlier, Mandela told journalists that he would declare a state of emergency as a last resort if tensions were not lessened.

26.   These are steps to lessen the tensions.

27.   Richardson also discussed ways to lessen tension on the Korean peninsula.

28.   SFOR announced earlier this week that all exercises by Moslem and Serb army units were being cancelled to lessen tension in the region.