1.   Over ush is expected to decide whether to supply advanced military hardware to Taiwan, an island republic Beijing considers a renegade province.

2.   Other former Soviet republics are also considering similar measures, he said.

3.   After a two-year war with Moscow, the small, Muslim republic considers itself an independent state, but Moscow insists it is still part of Russia.

4.   Aside from Russia and Belarus, no other former Soviet republics are seriously considering a reunification.

5.   The Muslim republic considers itself a sovereign state following a two-year independence war against Moscow, which ended with a peace treaty this year.

6.   The Muslim republic considers itself fully independent, while Moscow insists that Chechnya remains part of Russia but is unable to control the situation there.

7.   The Muslim republic considers itself fully independent, while Moscow says the region remains part of Russia.

8.   The republic considers itself an independent state but Moscow considers it part of Russia.

9.   The southern Muslim republic now considers itself an independent state but Moscow insists that it is and shall remain part of Russia.

10.   The republic considers itself an independent state, while Moscow considers it part of Russia.