Mr. Gebert said the church's longstanding refusal to get involved with political parties reflected an understanding of how best to defuse any anti-clerical feelings.

Yet the latter would reverse his longstanding refusal to accept a partnership with his republican adversaries.

Mr. Carrion's formula preserved the Sandinistas' longstanding refusal to meet with top leaders of the rebels, known as contras.

Among the changes announced in a tougher marketing climate, Merck publicly abandoned its longstanding refusal to reduce prices earlier this year.

He agreed to suspend emergency rule, even without a cease-fire, and to talk directly with contras, despite Managua's longstanding refusal to do so.

That seems obvious, but the M.T.A.'s longstanding refusal to be open about its finances has landed it in trouble.

Some of the most difficult battles with the services arose from their longstanding refusal to share hardware.

She apparently thought she was enforcing Justice Scalia's longstanding refusal to allow his remarks to be recorded.

But it was also apparent that both governments were withholding information under their own longstanding refusal to comment on submarine spying operations directed at the Russian fleet.