Both cordiality and strain are contradictory but consistent characteristics of the U.S.-Pakistan relationship.

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But delegates to the Cairo meetings, who were split into committees to tackle specific issues, reported cordiality and progress.

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But this week Chinese officials have been treating Donald Rumsfeld with unusual cordiality on his first visit to their country as America's defence secretary.

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The Vatican said Pope Francis welcomed Benedict "with great and fraternal cordiality".

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Despite the cordiality, there has always been a strain.

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And one of the reasons why it has been so successful was thanks to President Obama, who stayed here for two nights, and we discussed openly and candidly, with respect and cordiality, all problems.

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"No diplomatic 'spin' or attempt to finesse these differences ... will camouflage the actual fact that beneath the veneer of cordiality and bonhomie, the American strategic view of the subcontinent has not changed in essence, " The Hindu lamented.

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Not everybody gets it the first time, but he is terrific and he's a very nice guy and I think anyone who makes the mistake of thinking that his cordiality or softness is making a serious error because he's one tough kid.

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