11.   As both sides hardened their positions, Clinton noted earlier that the power struggle between Congress and his Democratic administration had landed the nation in unknown territory.

12.   De Charette said he was conscious of the difficulties involved, not least because all sides had hardened their positions in the run-up to eventual negotiations.

13.   Since then, both sides have hardened their positions and become bogged down in tit-for-tat displays of might and rhetorical sparring.

14.   Since then however, both sides have hardened their positions, a top-ranking western diplomat here said.