91.   That was a theme repeated Thursday when he met with Azerbaijani leaders, including President Geidar Aliev, who asserted his mountainous Caucasian republic is part of Europe.

92.   The Chechens consider their republic to be independent, though the territory is not recognized by any other country and Moscow says it will not allow Chechnya to secede.

93.   The Baltic republics are a key corridor to Russia from the West, and having them in NATO would make Russia feel vulnerable.

94.   The breakaway republic is predominantly Muslim.

95.   The former Soviet republic could be a stop on an Asian swing later this year, but that pilgrimage is still in the making.

96.   The former Soviet republic is the site of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, where Russia launches its manned missions.

97.   The former Yugoslav republic was the only component of the former Yugoslav federation that seceded without bloodshed.

98.   The former Yugoslav republics were traditionally important sources of cheap labor.

99.   The former Soviet republics also were and remain reluctant to surrender any of their independence to an organization they fear will be dominated by Moscow.

100.   The former Yugoslav republic was quiet for a second day Tuesday.