31.   The guerrillas portray themselves as Muslim independence fighters but have often committed banditry, particularly kidnapping.

32.   The rebels claim they are Muslim independence fighters.

33.   The tax hikes were intended to pay pensions to former independence fighters, who staged violent demonstrations earlier this year over corruption in the fund.

34.   While most ordinary people are thankful for an end to Indonesian rule, many independence fighters have found it hard to adjust.

35.   While the guerrillas claim they are Muslim independence fighters, the government has ruled out talks with what it calls a group of bandits thriving on ransoms.

36.   He did however say that he was not satisfied with the implementation of a recent demilitarisation accord between Chechen independence fighters and the Russian forces.

37.   He said Moscow was doing all it could to conclude the month-old war against independence fighters in the tiny Caucausus republic.

38.   He was scheduled to lay a wreath at the National Cemetry for independence fighters upon his arrival in Seoul after a flight of about two and a half hours.

39.   However, the independence fighters showed their strength by attacking the Russian positions in the capital Grozny at the end of the week.

40.   However, he has few credentials among the independence fighters, having been first a Soviet leader and more recently a Kremlin official.