1.   We see the councils as a new democratic unit in the community.

2.   Muradov said that the council should be seen as a traditional Turkmen institution.

3.   Regional councils are seen as the nearest equivalent.

4.   Previously, the council had been seen by some as a haven for those who bartered in patronage and pork.

5.   To start out, Barnes sees school councils as setting the pattern for achievement.

6.   Yet it is hard to see the council as anything other than plainly racist.

7.   But they show how frustrated Iraq is to see the council going ahead with discussions on resuming the stalled U.N. inspections without giving any heed to Iraqi demands.

8.   However in practice, few have either heard or seen the council at work.

9.   Many saw the council as a puppet government.

10.   Local councils are seen as a political training ground for legislators, and several of them also are council members.