The United States now stands to gain more from eased relations than from the pressure of continued sanctions.

At the U.N., Nelson Mandela pressed his call for continued economic sanctions to force change in South Africa.

That requires continued economic sanctions despite the Iraqi leader's efforts to get them lifted.

Never known as a major player on international issues, Ford favored continued economic sanctions against Iraq as an alternative to the Gulf War.

The risks that such action would fracture international support for continued economic sanctions against Baghdad are much reduced.

It was a further sign that Americans were beginning to react against the policy of continued sanctions by organizing their own relief efforts for the Iraqi people.

The United States and Britain are the strongest advocates on the council of continued sanctions.

At the moment the United States has no leverage in Iran and is losing support for its policy of continued sanctions against Iraq.

Russia and France have been growing impatient with continued sanctions against Iraq in recent months.

But either country subjects itself to continued international sanctions and other diplomatic pressures should it defy the tribunal.