He called the vote an "important step forward" as the Afghan people seek to control their future.

VOA: special.2009.08.22

This is an important step forward, as a sovereign and united Iraq continues to take control of its own destiny,".

VOA: standard.2009.06.30

The pact is a modest but important step forward, according to Kingston Reif, at the Washington-based Center For Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.

VOA: standard.2010.04.04

IRRI researcher Melissa Fitzgerald says finding the genes which control starch release is just the first step toward creating a grain that people will accept as part of their diet.

VOA: standard.2010.06.25

Earlier this week, Secretary Geithner and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke also discussed with Congress another step which would enable the government to take control of major non-bank financial institutions threatened with collapse.

VOA: standard.2009.03.26