He later softened his criticism but pointed out that local militias still play a significant role in working with the U.S. military.

He gradually began to distance the party and himself from the protests, softening his criticism towards the government.

The protests that followed caused Mr. Gore to soften his criticism.

Later in the day he seemed to soften his criticism of Mr. Bush but not his assault on the soft money system.

He softened his criticism for the second edition.

But he softened his criticism with the comment, "It's wanting to win too badly."

But some of the leaders of that protest have recently softened their criticism.

And Mr. Haines didn't feel the need to soften his criticism.

In a later report, the commission softened its criticism.

The meeting of the two Korean leaders is unlikely to soften their criticism.