The 600 figure is therefore viewed as psychologically and symbolically important.

That would be a symbolically important expansion of Japan's peacekeeping activities.

However, the six gulf countries are expected to make other smaller but symbolically important gestures soon, senior Administration officials said.

The Speaker said it was important symbolically to return any surplus produced by the strong economy to taxpayers.

Dr Cable not long ago said the rate was "symbolically important", whatever it raised.

"What we did is important symbolically," said the official.

"I think it's important symbolically, if not effectively, to have minorities in high positions of power," he said.

Several moderates said the tax debate was symbolically important because it showed that the leadership had to pay attention to them.

On the other hand, he and other analysts said, sanctions are symbolically important.

That angered the police union, which said the distinction was symbolically important.