31.   Ramaker, a Dutch diplomat who chairs the treaty negotiating panel of the conference, said major delegations had hardened their positions in the past two weeks.

32.   A court on Wednesday ordered striking public transit workers to stop blocking bus depots as authorities hardened their position in a showdown over a month-old walkout.

33.   A draft resolution on the plight of Bosnian Muslims, approved by foreign ministers, hardened the position of Islamic nations.

34.   All signs indicate the Belgrade government is hardening its position on Kosovo.

35.   Ahead of the summit, the Israeli Cabinet hardened its positions this week.

36.   Ahead of the summit, the Israeli Cabinet has hardened its positions.

37.   Although his resignation is one of the conditions set by GM for a settlement, the two sides appeared to have hardened their positions.

38.   And as Joras hardened his position, so did Slovenia.

39.   And the latest indictments appear certain to harden that position.

40.   Arafat also worries that Barak will harden his position on settlements in hopes of luring hawks into his coalition.