21.   It was not immediately clear what had prompted Pastrana to harden his stance in the intervening hours.

22.   Authoritative sources here suggested that Serbs were hardening their stance against UNPROFOR because of their frustration at the international sanctions which are beginning to hurt.

23.   Bosnian Serbs were hardening their stance against UNPROFOR because of their frustration with international sanctions which were now beginning to hurt, the sources said.

24.   But some diplomats here were cautious about the prospects for a compromise, noting that Japanese trade officials had hardened their stance in recent months.

25.   It was not clear what had prompted Pastrana to harden his stance in the hours after the government announced the suspension of talks.

26.   Kabila, meanwhile, hardened his stance at the weekend, saying he would only meet with Mobutu in order to discuss his stepping down from power.

27.   On Saturday the opposition hardened its stance and demanded the elections be held this March.

28.   Some diplomats here were cautious about prospects for a compromise, noting that Japanese trade officials had hardened their stance in recent months.

29.   The authorities have been hardening their stance.

30.   The authorities are hardening their stance towards the demonstrations.