Yet European leaders have taken widely differing stands.
His joking about his chances of winning was widely taken as a concession speech.
That was widely taken as a reference to the Miyazawa plan.
It is widely taken for granted that the country as a whole would be better off if its poor young women had fewer offspring.
The statement was widely taken to mean that Beijing would not cave in to international pressure.
His speech, which he now insists meant only "not so fast," was widely taken as advice to remain loyal to Moscow's empire.
The unprecedented size of the demonstrations was widely taken to indicate that the majority of people across the world opposed the war.
His opinion, as one of the most successful opposition leaders, is widely taken into account in the Western political circles.
Cod liver oil is widely taken to ease the pain and joint stiffness associated with arthritis.
His vote was widely taken as a signal that he wanted to provide more money for child care.
