The problem, however, is that America's position is perceived by the Europeans, probably rightly, as self-serving.

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Equally important, the bureau does not want to be in a position to perceived as undermining Starr's investigation.

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If this were the case, he might now be offering his own point of view, which could, conceivably, be slightly at odds with what he then perceived as the best position for his client.

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Keith Vaz, the Commons Home Affairs Committee chairman, said the Metropolitan police should "consider very carefully" whether any gifts "could be perceived as compromising the force's position".

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Their rise is reminiscent of the emergence of Japanese corporations during the 1980s and the perceived threat that they posed to the competitive position of U.S. corporations.

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