They even rejected a proposal from Sen. Susan Collins, a moderate Maine Republican, in order to preserve the purity of their no-concession stance, although there was nothing in the proposal the White House objected to, the official said.
Concessions to this stance have been grudging, he said.
Contracts for all but 7,500 of the city's 286,000 employees have expired and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has taken a tough stance, demanding concessions to pay for any raises.
This week's decisions are the first time that Russian authorities or prosecutors have made concessions in the tough stance they have taken against Greenpeace since the 28 activists and two freelance journalists were seized in September on board the Arctic Sunrise during a protest against Arctic drilling.
In such circumstances, Iran could even withdraw previous concessions and harden its stance on its "nuclear rights", enrichment and cooperation with the IAEA Increased sanctions-busting, principally by China, which is Iran's largest oil customer, and Russia, which has agreed to build a new generation of nuclear reactors in Iran.
But the Brexit secretary and the chancellor, who have forged a close working relationship in recent weeks, appear to have consciously decided to strike a more emollient tone, stressing the government's willingness to make concessions where necessary – a stance backed up by No 10.
Chamberlain, as Chancellor had taken a hard-line stance against concessions to the Irish, but having been persuaded that the strained ties were having effects on relations with other Dominions he sought a settlement with Ireland.
Stronger support for Ukip will encourage the Conservatives to adopt a more Eurosceptic approach, hardening their stance on the concessions required for them to continue supporting Britain's membership of the EU.
However, they are less willing to make any concessions on the tough military stance against an organisation which has squandered nearly all of the legitimacy which it may have enjoyed in the past.
After that day of demonstrations, Mr. Sarkozy softened his stance, and offered some concessions to worker demands.
In recent years, every time Japan has switched to moderate policy toward China, it has been the result of China's strong stance rather than its concessions".
