11.  The U.S. signing is largely symbolic, because it still needs to be ratified in Congress, where there is firm opposition.

12.  The U.S. signing is largely symbolic, because it still needs to be ratified in Congress, where there is firm opposition to the accord.

13.  Efforts to find the third partner failed amid the firm opposition from Washington.

14.  Their position has met firm opposition from the other member states but German finance minister Theo Waigel said earlier this month he believed a compromise would soon be reached.

15.  It also reiterated firm opposition to a proposed underground nuclear waste dump at Sellafield, expected to be announced this month.

16.  Russia has expressed its firm opposition to any expansion of NATO into eastern and central Europe.

17.  The bill has also drawn firm opposition from the Roman Catholic church.