1.   As a sign of the friendly ties between the government and Christian denominations here, Minister of Religious Affairs Abdul-Munim Ahmad Salih visited several churches on Friday.

2.   But even relatively sophisticated officials, scholars and journalists with access to better information tend to view the scandals as a plot by anti-Chinese forces to derail friendly ties.

3.   By all appearances, China has moved past the humiliation and continues to seek friendly ties.

4.   China was opposed to maintaining troop levels because the Caribbean nation has friendly ties with Taiwan.

5.   He said it is important for Japan, which depends on export markets for its wealth, to establish friendly ties with Africa.

6.   In a written statement Tuesday, Erbakan confirmed that he wanted friendly ties to the United States.

7.   Richardson expressed confidence that even if the United States did engage in military action against Iraq against Chinese wishes, friendly ties would continue to build.

8.   A friendly tie at Wembley Tuesday would mean Switzerland and Scotland, who meet at Villa Park at the same time, would have no chance of qualifying.

9.   Arkady Mil-Man, a senior diplomat at the Israeli Embassy in Moscow, hailed friendly ties with Russia and voiced hope it would help solve the conflict.

10.   As it still maintains friendly ties with Yugoslavia, Athens hopes it could help mediate a solution to the crisis.