1.   In an interview on Tuesday, Jansen said his appointment did not signal any retreat by Times Mirror in New York City.

2.   The officials said that the delay did not signal a retreat from the decision last July to abandon affirmative action.

3.   China has insisted that the rules do not signal a retreat from its economic reforms.

4.   Rains on the soya fields of Brazil signalled the retreat of speculators from the Chicago market, where prices plummeted.