1.   Beyond that, however, it is hard to imagine how the current poisoned atmosphere can be cleansed in the near term.

2.   But the deeply poisoned atmosphere has stirred fears that violence could mar the meeting next month.

3.   Certainly, the racial assumptions that led to the unfair verdict were part of the same poisoned atmosphere that gave rise to the riots.

4.   Given the poisoned atmosphere surrounding his controversial ruling, that standard of fairness required Baer to step aside.

5.   Juppe turned him down, citing the poisoned atmosphere.

6.   They were hostile, pushy and consistent in their demands for Samaranch to resign -- a poisoned atmosphere that rendered the IOC members and staff members puzzled and frightened.

7.   By far the biggest obstacle to peace is getting two countries that once were friends to trust one another in a poisoned atmosphere.