1.  He cast himself as the victim of political opponents who are opposed to his hardline stands on peace negotiations with the Palestinians.

2.  However, the peace talks bogged down for months because of the hardline stands of Netanyahu and the Palestinian leader.

3.  Although China appears to be holding fast to its claim on the Spratly Islands, some Southeast Asian nations sense a shift in its hardline stand.

4.  Although previous confrontations ultimately forced Iraq to back down, they undercut support for a hardline stand within the Security Council.

5.  Hakeem Olajuwon, who led the Houston Rockets to their second consecutive NBA title last week, criticized the hardline stand of some of his colleagues.

6.  Lara has been an active member of the center-right party which promises a hardline stand toward ETA if elected.

7.  There was little sign, however, that the government was prepared to soften its hardline stand.

8.  His comments have been echoed by other African leaders, concerned that Britain is trying to railroad them into taking a hardline stand against their neighbour.

9.  His hardline stand and refusal to trade occupied Arab lands in exchange for peace has sparked alarm in Arab capitals.

10.  Iranian newspapers have accused Britain in the past few days of pressing for a hardline EU stand against Iran.