71.   The government last month launched its biggest offensive against the Tamil separatists.

72.   The government last month launched its biggest offensive against the Tamil separatists last month.

73.   The Tamil separatists are fighting for a separate nation, or at least autonomy, to preserve their language, culture and economic opportunities.

74.   The Tamil separatists, fighting to establish a homeland in the northeast, claim discrimination by the majority Sinhalese, who control the government and military.

75.   The Sri Lankan government and Tamil separatist are looking for an opening to resume peace peace talks, political analysts and government ministers said Tuesday.

76.   The Sri Lankan government and Tamil separatists are looking for an opening to resume peace talks, political analysts and government ministers said Tuesday.

77.   The Tamil separatists are fighting for a homeland in the north and east.

78.   The U.S. military on Friday denied claims by the Tamil separatists that it is helping Sri Lankan forces fight the guerrillas.

79.   Thousands of Tamil separatists launched a counterattack Friday and shot down an air force plane in their first sizable action since a major government offensive began five days ago.

80.   Veerappan has links with Tamil separatists in India and Sri Lanka, a stand that is popular with the large Tamil population and some politicians in the two states.