31.   Rio Gov. Marcelo Alencar and Mayor Cesar Maia also have downplayed the report.

32.   Since then, however, energy prices have eased somewhat, causing analysts to somewhat downplay the report.

33.   Speaking later on Spanish television, he downplayed reports that ETA might be close to calling a ceasefire.

34.   Thai intelligence sources on the border downplayed earlier reports of serious problems at Anlong Veng.

35.   The government has downplayed newspaper reports that the El Nino drought has led to widespread hunger and food shortages in the southern Philippines.

36.   The European Commission on Friday downplayed reports it is on the verge of legalizing the buying and selling of airport landing and take-off slots.

37.   The military chief of staff on Saturday downplayed reports of a growing number of armed Christian vigilantes opposed to a peace treaty with Muslim secessionist rebels.

38.   The officials also downplayed reports that a move is afoot to forge an alliance among Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria.

39.   The report was later downplayed.

40.   They downplay reports of friction between the sides, but admit that peer pressure might prevent some discussion.