51.   Iraq has hardened its position against the United Nations since the airstrikes and demands an unconditional lifting of sanctions.

52.   It remains unclear whether the new evidence will be enough to persuade the Russians, French and Chinese to harden their position against the Iraqis.

53.   North Korea, which once showed flexibility, hardened its position on Monday, the reports said.

54.   On Wednesday, Alatas said the award had hardened the positions of the two sides and could impede progress in the talks.

55.   Since negotiations collapsed Tuesday night, the two sides have engaged in a bitter war of words, hardened their positions and shown no sign of backing down.

56.   Since the strike was called Tuesday, the two sides had engaged in a bitter war of words, hardened their positions and shown no sign of backing down.

57.   Since negotiations collapsed Tuesday night, the two sides have engaged in a bitter war of words, hardened their positions and shown no sign of compromise.

58.   The airline appeared instead to harden its position.

59.   The chances of a deal being reached to withdraw Israeli troops from Hebron worsened Saturday as Israeli and Palestinian officials hardened positions and blamed one another for delays.

60.   The diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there was an obvious pattern of Bosnian Croats hardening their position over the past weeks.