11.   The United States and Russia, former Cold War foes, have grown closer since Putin gave his firm backing to the U.S.-led war against terrorism.

12.   Traditional allies offer firm backing, but others angry.

13.   Traditional allies offer firm backing for Iraq attack, but others angry.

14.   Fujimori received firm international backing for his handling of the crisis during a four-day visit to Canada and the United States.

15.   Fujimori received firm international backing for his handling of the crisis during a visit with President Bill Clinton in Washington and with Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto in Canada.

16.   Syria won the firm backing of Egypt and the Gulf Arab states for its stand in revived negotiations with Israel in two days of talks here which ended Thursday.

17.   The bank was established in October but it has yet to find firm financial backing.

18.   The military has stated its firm backing for Suryadi.

19.   The idea won firm backing from Major who said the committee should be headed by a businessman not a bureacrat.