Some lifting of pressure on the euro zone's financial markets has already been evident since the start of the year.

WSJ: Euro Crisis Clouds Global Outlook

At a summit last December, EU leaders agreed to consider lifting the ban after pressure from France and Germany, which were keen to sell weapons.

BBC: NEWS | Europe | EU maintains Chinese arms embargo

In 1990, the South African government responded to internal and international pressure and freed him, at the same time lifting the ban against the anti-apartheid African National Congress (ANC).

BBC: Nelson Mandela's 1990 release marked in South Africa

Weak interest rates could spur the U.S. economy, lifting oil demand, and they could also depress the value of the dollar, which would also put upward pressure on American energy costs.

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