In much of the world these fragile yet vital habitats are regarded as wastelands and as stubborn obstacles to development.

Dismantling the I.R.A.'s huge stashes of weapons, hidden in underground bunkers in the countryside, has been the most stubborn obstacle to a functional power-sharing system between Catholic and Protestant political groups in Northern Ireland.

France and Iran settled a 12-year-old dispute today over a $1 billion loan to France that has been a stubborn obstacle to improved relations between the two countries.

AMERICAN diplomacy, newly awakened to Africa by the need to intervene in places like Rwanda and Somalia, is discovering that one of the most stubborn obstacles to constructive change on the continent is an old friend: France.

This gives substance to hopes for peace, and removes a stubborn obstacle to full-scale talks on a non-racist constitution for South Africa.

As Gov. Christine Todd Whitman has struggled to change the racially discriminatory culture of the state police, she has run into a surprisingly stubborn obstacle: the agency's steadfast support among white New Jersey residents.

Attack on Inflation Mr. Gonzalez has also taken aim at inflation, another stubborn obstacle to investment.

And it remains a vivid reminder of the stubborn obstacles to unity that Europe still faces.

The issue, which erupted 12 years ago, has been a stubborn obstacle to improved relations between the countries.

He wasn't so much a menace as he was a great obstacle, forceful and stubborn and believing in himself.