21.   But five years on, clouds still mar the relations between former Soviet republics.

22.   Difficulties -- including the arrest in China of a US-naturalized human rights activist, Harry Wu -- have recently marred relations with China.

23.   The ambassador said he hoped the impasse would not mar relations with Kazakhstan.

24.   The dispute has marred relations between Iran and its Gulf neighbours.

25.   The incident has threatened to mar relations between European Union countries and Kazakhstan, which questioned the decision not to hand over someone branded as criminal and embezzler.