31.   Recently, he has muted his criticism, now that U.S. withdrawal is a fait accompli and will take effect next month.

32.   Russia objected, but has muted its criticism on the point.

33.   Russia objected, but has muted its criticism to the point that some sort of compromise language may be in the offing.

34.   Some suspect a Nationalist scheme to weaken the opposition and mute its criticism.

35.   The U.S. official who briefed reporters said U.S. officials believed China was now more likely to abstain from voting against the United States or to mute its criticism.