The Guardian - Cryptic crossword No 24,058 - Apr 23 2007

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Clues Answers
Alliance of states taking boundary area back AXIS
Alpine characters shifted from mountainous region NEPALI
Apart from Spanish white wine, mostly French white wine BARSAC
Artist endlessly climbing over the hill AGED
Carrier of note, in a way unpleasant STICKY
Drink with meal on jet BLACKTEA
Finish up splitting fish of rotten quality BADNESS
Fruit and fish on quay (or second fish) SHADDOCK
It's not simple aboard, inside cabins at sea NONBASIC
Messenger hidden by other messengers HERMES
Number of political leaders won't admit embracing Conservative inclination TENDENCY
Observing in no-man's-land, thus revealing what can be found here (above and below) READING
One who composed mass about an island's religious practice BRAHMANISM
Ornamentation on bow or top of violin FIDDLEHEAD
Clues Answers
Part of telescope I reportedly mounted on castle, for example EYEPIECE
Part-time medic's alter ego HYDE
Provides help as stupid creature is crossing street ASSISTS
Run round a lot as a nomad ROMANY
See 15 BETWEEN
See 15 THELINES
Somewhat romantically, predicting the future MANTIC
Special pal you primarily had on team, perhaps PLAYMATE
Stoppages slow down vehicles, we hear, on hills BREAKDOWNS
Study poem returned by poet's girlfriend CONFIDANTE
Suffer thus in test for container of 8 ACHE
Thin slice of meat less well considered RASHER
Tribesman, cunning and irritating person GADFLY
Waive a rule, ie bad act that needs changing ABDICATE