21.   Sharon meets Albright, U.S. toughens stance.

22.   The Bosnian Serbs toughened their stance on releasing the remaining hostages over the weekend.

23.   The government has toughened its stance, proposing the symbols be given legal status for the first time.

24.   Toughening its stance against Syria, Turkey said Thursday it would not negotiate a water-sharing agreement unless Syria takes steps to crack down on Kurdish rebels.

25.   Vietnam has recently toughened its stance against drug traffickers in an effort to squelch the growing cross-border trade and the rising number of local addicts.

26.   But Beijing recently toughened its stance in the face of the growing influx of North Koreans sneaking into foreign missions.

27.   But the state has toughened its stance toward extremists with the approach of an Israeli military redeployment from Hebron.

28.   Cuba signalled a truce in its diplomatic standoff with Spain, as Europe, backed by the United States, prepared to toughen its stance toward the communist state.

29.   The opposition however rejected her offer and toughened its stance, calling for the immediate dissolution of parliament and new elections.

30.   The Tajik Islamic opposition, emboldened by recent military victories, toughened its stance for accepting a ceasefire on Sunday ahead of UN-sponsored talks due to be held here.