The topic is so delicate that officials of the International Olympic Committee recently denied asking Mr. Putin to revert to daylight saving time, and said they had asked only for Russia's Olympics planning team to consider the issue.
With the United States antidrug program in the region an increasingly politically delicate topic, American officials did not allow reporters to observe or interview the American Marines during their two-month deployment in Guatemala, saying arrangements could not be made.
Another delicate matter, some officials say, is that while the church may be enthusiastic now, the future may be different, especially if the church loses interest, moves or merges with another church.
But though just 68 snakes were harvested from among the estimated 150,000 descendants of discarded pets threatening the state's most delicate ecosystem, state officials deemed the highly publicized hunt a success.
An opening to China, with its huge population and enormous potential for converts, likely won't happen on this Asian trip; relations are so delicate that Vatican officials won't even say whether Francis will follow the usual protocol and send a telegram of good wishes to the government when he flies over Chinese territory on his way to South Korea.
"There was no need to do something that some in Russia might view as provocative, especially at this delicate moment," one official said.
Officials say the conflicting data show the delicate balance public health officials are walking with swine flu.
Officials have proposed dismantling existing beach amenities and shrinking the area allotted for private beaches to protect delicate flora and what officials say are dunes worn down by the crush of manicured feet.
Handling a riot is a delicate affair for prison officials.
The exit will require a delicate balancing act, government officials said.
