11.   He was prepared for the fierce resistance of the Russian people defending their homeland.

12.   By mid-April there were reports that the Iraqi military campaign in the north had met with fierce resistance from Kurdish guerrillas.

13.   And the militants, who have been fighting from basements and fortifications in the ruined capital, insisted they were putting up fierce resistance.

14.   As the government met, fierce resistance to the Israeli incursions were reported in the cities of Nablus and Jenin in the West Bank.

15.   But an unidentified Russian officer in Grozny told NTV television that the Chechens were putting up a fierce resistance as they tried to hold their capital.

16.   But all its efforts to do so failed in the face of fierce resistance from residents and thousands of sympathizers.

17.   But fierce resistance is certain.

18.   But the crackdown encountered fierce resistance from the companies and business groups.

19.   But the Nazi forces found themselves blocked once more by fierce Jewish resistance after several days of vicious street fighting.

20.   But the self-service debate is also symbolic of how difficult deregulation will be to achieve against the fierce resistance of vested interests.