1.   At a minimum, the problems in California have frayed relations among power suppliers in the West.

2.   But the cordial relations were soon frayed by tensions between the White House and the FBI.

3.   Ridge played down reports that the investigation had been hobbled by poor communication or frayed relations among law enforcement people.

4.   The accident infuriated many Italians and for a time frayed relations between the United States and Italy.

5.   The debate over the inquiry has badly frayed relations between law-enforcement and Energy Department officials.

6.   But their relations were frayed by the collapse of the Soviet bloc.

7.   The meeting frayed relations between Zimbabwe, which has strict anti-homosexual laws, and South Africa, where gay sex is legal.

8.   Human rights issues and suspected Chinese exports of missile components to Pakistan and Iran have frayed relations.

9.   The United States and China have been involved in bitter rows in recent months that have frayed their relations.