Despite multiple parliamentary questions from as early as 2005, where it was stated that there was no proof that this was happening, Minister Ahern announced a ban on all handguns in November 2008.

Despite fears by the Linux gaming community that Id Tech 5 would not be ported to that platform, Timothee Besset in his blog has stated " I'll be damned if we don't find the time to get Linux builds done ".

Despite a warming by the Comintern, German tensions were raised when the Soviets stated in September that they must enter Poland to " protect " their ethnic Ukrainian and Belorussian brethren therein from Germany, though Molotov later admitted to German officials that this excuse was necessary because the Soviets could find no other pretext for the Soviet invasion.

Despite these findings, as of 2006, the FDA stated its belief that " the levels of benzene found in soft drinks and other beverages to date do not pose a safety concern for consumers ".

Despite his humble background, Martok would become extremely popular among other warriors and the civilian population, though Martok had repeatedly stated he had no interest in politics.

Despite this, the band did not feel part of the hardcore scene ; as Mars later stated, " we were confused about what we were ".

" Despite copious quantities of waste, the DOE has stated a goal of cleaning all presently contaminated sites successfully by 2025.

Despite repeated stated intentions by the world's leaders to end hunger and famine, famine remains a chronic threat in much of Africa and Asia.

Despite such associations and contrary to stated Social Democratic Party policy, Sweden had in fact secretly maintained extensive military co-operation with NATO over a long period, and was even under the protection of a US military security guarantee ( see Swedish neutrality during the Cold War ).

Despite these events occurring on the same day, Prince's attorney has called it pure coincidence and stated that the site did not close due to the trademark dispute.

Despite this, Keaton has stated that the relationship between Alvy and Annie was partly based on her relationship with the director.

Despite Joyce's revolutionary techniques, the author repeatedly emphasized that the book was neither random nor meaningless ; with Ellmann quoting the author as having stated: " I can justify every line of my book.

Despite requests from the South Korea government to put North Korea back on the list after it sunk the Navy ship the ROKS Cheonan in 2010, the Obama administration stated that it will not do so because the act was conducted by only the North Korean military and was thus not an act of terror.

It stated, in addition, that " Despite their tolerance toward minority religious groups traditional to the country — including Catholics, Armenian Apostolic Christians, Jews, and Muslims — citizens remain very apprehensive about Protestants and other nontraditional religions, which they see as taking advantage of the populace's economic hardship by gaining membership through handing out economic assistance to converts.

Bob Herbert also stated that many brothel prostitutes are controlled by outside pimps: " Despite the fiction that they are “ independent contractors ,” most so-called legal prostitutes have pimps — the state-sanctioned pimps who run the brothels and, in many cases, a second pimp who controls all other aspects of their lives ( and takes the bulk of their legal earnings ).

Despite only two songs from the album being written solely by Lynott, and other members of the band contributing more to the compositions, both Gorham and Wharton have since stated their dissatisfaction with some of the songs, such as " Angel of Death ", " Fats " and " Mexican Blood ".

Despite his earlier stated intention to take a break from acting, in May 2006, he signed on to star in the R-rated teen-sex comedy Extreme Movie.

Despite these attempts, in 1992, the U. S. General Accounting Office stated, " Although most states pursued strategies to supplement the local funding of poor school districts, wealthier districts in 37 states had more total ( state and local combined ) funding than poor districts in the 1991-92 school year.

Despite the decree of 21 March 1815 that stated that no foreigner could be admitted into the Imperial Guard, Napoleon ’ s decree of 24 April prescribed amongst other things that the Chasseurs-à-Cheval of the Imperial Guard included a squadron of two companies of Mamluks for the Belgian Campaign.

Despite this, matsetela ( 2000 ) stated that the process was then halted and the situation began to reverse itself, as the subsequent violent actions of drug lords, paramilitaries, guerrillas and opportunistic large landowners severely contributed to a renewed concentration of land and to the displacement of small landowners.

Despite the stated serious nature of the situation Osho never sought outside medical treatment during his time in the United States, leading the Immigration and Naturalization Service to believe that he had a preconceived intent to remain there.

Despite requiring larger and heavier equipment as stated above, the performance of the electro-vacuum brake approached that of contemporary electro-pneumatic brakes.

Despite the deteriorated relations, and the previously stated official and mutual public sentiment against the alliance, it would not be until September 30, 1800, that the treaty would officially be absolved by both signing parties with the signing of the Treaty of Mortefontaine, or Convention of 1800, and the Franco-American Alliance that began in 1778 was ended.

Despite statements as a Senator, where he called for marijuana decriminalization, promises as a presidential candidate where he stated that marijuana laws needed to be reconsidered and explicit statements as president that he would respect state medical marijuana laws, Barack Obama has presided over 1. 7 million marijuana arrests and a nationwide campaign of raiding medical marijuana dispensaries.

Despite this imbalance in the Rhodesian electoral system, Smith and other white politicians argued there was nothing fundamentally racist about it: They stated that improvements in black education and wealth would, over time, ensure a gradual move to majority rule.

Despite the biblical prohibition on sexual relations between half-brothers and sisters, () Amnon had an overwhelming desire for her.

Despite his desire to become a minister, near the end of his studies Kepler was recommended for a position as teacher of mathematics and astronomy at the Protestant school in Graz ( later the University of Graz ).

Despite the Kuwaiti government's desire to either be independent or under British rule, in the Anglo-Ottoman Convention of 1913, the British concurred with the Ottoman Empire in defining Kuwait as an autonomous caza of the Ottoman Empire and that the Shaikhs of Kuwait were not independent leaders, but rather qaimmaqams ( provincial sub-governors ) of the Ottoman government.

Despite the desire of silver delegates to nominate a candidate who shared their beliefs, and although several states instructed their delegates to vote for a specific candidate, there was no overwhelming favorite for the nomination going into the convention.

Despite popular opinion, TOS writer and story editor, Dorothy C. Fontana, insists that pon farr is not the only time that Vulcans feel sexual desire or engage in sexual activity: " Vulcans mate normally any time they want to.

Despite his professed desire to fade from public attention, these questions followed him into retirement, eventually exploding into a series of political, financial and personal scandals tarnished his image and reputation.

Despite his desire to emancipate his fellow countrymen, Tone had very little respect for the Catholic faith ( a view shared by many subsequent Irish republicans ).

Despite a desire to move away from the crime genre, it was the only arena in which he could find any creative control.

Despite a desire for peace, many in the British parliament opposed the return of hard-fought gains.

Despite orders to seek no direct military assistance from France, the American commissioners were instructed to work to acquire most favored nation trading relations with France, along with additional military aid, and also encouraged to reassure any Spanish delegates at that the United States had no desire to acquire Spanish lands in the Americas in the hopes that Spain would in turn enter a possible Franco-American alliance.

Despite a burning desire to return to his home, he finds his people's philosophy – that which you can control cannot hurt you – abhorrent, and asks to return to the Alpha Quadrant.

Despite Random's misgivings, Corwin remains resolute in his desire to attack Amber with Bleys.

Despite her best intentions, Eliza's stubbornness that she's always right leads her strong desire to help to become destructive, she has also been seen to develop brief periods of megalomania on more than one occasion.

Despite the fact the last four decades of Pedro II's reign were marked by continuous internal peace and economic prosperity, he personally had no desire to see the monarchy survive beyond his lifetime.

Despite getting along well with them personally and enjoying the recording of their 1978 self-titled album, Holdsworth claims that his time spent with the group was " miserable " due to numerous musical differences whilst on tour, namely Jobson and Wetton's desire for Holdsworth play his solos to an organised structure for each show ; something to which he vehemently objected.

Despite Eddie Jordan's desire to keep de Cesaris for the 1992 season, financial realities meant it wasn't possible.

Despite the market's evolution away from film, there is still a desire and market for products which allow fine art photographers to produce negatives from digital images for their use in alternative processes such as cyanotypes, gum bichromate, platinum prints, and many others.

Despite an intense desire to remain in the public eye, Godfrey's presence ebbed considerably over the next ten years, notwithstanding an HBO special and an appearance on a PBS salute to the 1950s.

Despite the Prime Minister's desire to have 5, 000 airborne troops within a short period, a number of problems were rapidly encountered by the War Office.

Despite her privileged childhood, von Harbou had the desire to earn a living on her own, thus driving her to become an actress, regardless of disapproval from her father.

Despite the PQ's recovery of support, Charest appeared as a viable alternative for people in desire of change, especially during the Leaders ' Debate.

Despite Button's performances, and his desire to stay with Renault, it was announced at the French Grand Prix that he would make way in 2003 for test driver Fernando Alonso.

Despite her desire to live a normal life she feels compelled to fulfill her destiny as a Slayer, and the need for her to live up to this responsibility is reinforced by Giles.

Despite the strong desire of many of its members to maintain a low public profile, the Prometheus Society has achieved a small measure of attention and fame.

Despite his own desire to stay away from Salem in his final days, Jack knows he owes it to the brother and ex-wife he had wronged so many times to bring him back.