31.   But Karzai said he hoped his new legitimacy would strengthen his hand in securing peace for Afghanistan and winning much-needed international aid for his country.

32.   But it does represent an effort by the Russians and Chinese to strengthen their hands in future diplomatic dealings with Washington.

33.   But Lawrence M. Ausubel, an economist at the University of Maryland, said he saw no reason to strengthen the hand of credit card lenders in bankruptcy proceedings.

34.   But the authority, its hand strengthened by the response from retail investors, stood firm.

35.   But the ascendancy of conservatives in Congress has strengthened the hand of those who oppose reductions, mainly the fossil-fuel and related industries.

36.   By choosing six reforming countries to visit on this trip, Clinton strengthens the hand of a new generation of African leaders and encourages others to emulate them.

37.   By linking Start II with adherence to the ABM accord, Putin was apparently trying, in part, to strengthen his hand.

38.   China is bellowing now precisely because it wants negotiations and is trying to strengthen its hand for these inevitable talks.

39.   Clinton criticized legislation sought by the White House to strengthen the hand of patients and physicians in their dealings with health maintenance organizations and private insurance firms.

40.   Clinton allies say that settling the Jones case strengthens his hand going into the impeachment hearings, and some others agree.