For Obama, Africa so far chiefly remains a backdrop against which he defines his American identity.

Against such a backdrop we can wait no longer.

Against that backdrop, I have two questions for the Minister.

The helicopter was flying low against the backdrop of hills.

Against this backdrop, the US government shutdown looks a little different.

Against this backdrop, Israel and the Palestinian territories are relatively stable places.

Against that backdrop, I should like to focus here on three issues.

It would also provide a backdrop against which wages in Germany could rise without necessarily having to fall in the periphery.

A summary of those estimates, which should be viewed against the backdrop of the above mentioned general considerations, is given below.

These developments, albeit positive, should be considered against the backdrop of lesser accomplishments.

Against that backdrop, the least developed countries are prepared to make their contribution.

All of this is happening against the backdrop of increasing experimentation with drugs.

Negotiated against a backdrop of crises and power plays, it has its floors.

This plenary meeting of the General Assembly is being held against this backdrop.

Against this backdrop, institutional investors self insured quite rationally against a eurozone breakup by withdrawing behind safer borders.

President Urusemal We gather this year against the backdrop of many recent natural disasters.

It was against this backdrop that the Jesuit priests and two women were murdered.

Against this backdrop, we acknowledge the effective and comprehensive response of the United Nations and the way in which its efforts have been mobilized.

A backdrop!

It is against this backdrop that we abstained in the voting on this draft resolution.

It is against this backdrop that we fully support the concept of negative security assurances.

Against this backdrop, however, New Zealanders are puzzled at times by the way in which the United Nations carries out some of its important tasks.

It is against this backdrop that the latest contest between India and China must be assessed.

Against a backdrop of generally tighter migration regulation during the reporting period, more encouraging developments were noted.

Against this backdrop, the full, immediate and unconditional implementation of article VI of the Treaty is fundamental.

It is against this backdrop that we recall the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

Set against the backdrop of the Indian Army in Kashmir, the film tells the story of an agent and his fight against terrorism.

Against this backdrop, the time has come to reconsider the basic sources of happiness in our economic life.

Against the backdrop of rapid globalization, the individual risks and costs of moving internationally will continue to fall.

The political struggle between civilians and conservative military sectors intensified, against a backdrop of social upheaval and mobilization.

But instead we see a landscape of widespread poverty set against a backdrop of endemic corruption and official mismanagement.

Restorative justice generally operates against the backdrop and as a complement to a capable, fair and efficient justice system.

Against this backdrop, the seven countries of South Asia set up the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Our debates are unfolding against a backdrop of escalating oil prices, whose worst fallout we may have yet to see.

Against this backdrop, the proposed peace plans under discussion at the negotiations in Geneva raise a number of fundamental issues.

Careful management was all the more urgent as those developments were taking place against a sombre macroeconomic and political backdrop.

Against this disturbing backdrop, there have been some rays of hope that certain conflicts in the world will be settled.

This session of the First Committee is convened against a backdrop of some encouraging developments in arms limitation and disarmament.

And all of this is played out against the backdrop of transient pack ice that moves with wind and tide.

Against so homespun a backdrop, the magnificence of the Ambersons was as conspicuous as a brass band at a funeral.

Allow me briefly to highlight some basic facts from these studies, as they provide an important backdrop against which we must view our support for this initiative on opportunity and participation.

The agreement will be hotly debated in large measure because it comes against a backdrop of unprecedented partisan tension in Washington.

It is against this bitter backdrop that a new Afghan president will be elected and the withdrawal of forces carried out.

Against that backdrop, we in the Gambia are unreservedly committed to the realization of a peaceful, stable and conflict free Africa.

Against such a horrifying backdrop, apprehending and trying those three senior level accused is the very least that we can do.