41.   While Taiwan still bans direct contact with the mainland, tensions have eased in recent years and trade through intermediaries has blossomed.

42.   But since the Taipei government bans direct contacts between the two sides, the trade and investments are conducted through third parties, mainly in Hong Kong.

43.   CAL has no direct flights with the mainland as all such contacts are banned by the Taiwan government.

44.   Egyptians who visit Israel find problems both with the police here and the trade unions, which ban such contacts.

45.   EU foreign ministers last month banned all contacts with members of the Burmese junta but have so far resisted appeals from the NLD for the imposition of economic sanctions.

46.   The prosperous island bans direct contact with the mainland but must make a decision on the future of that policy ahead of any entry into the WTO.

47.   The talks were kept unofficial and behind closed doors because Taiwan still bans direct contacts with China.

48.   The talks were kept unofficial and behind-closed-doors because Taiwan still bans direct contacts with China.

49.   The Taipei government bans direct contacts with the mainland, and all business activities must be conducted through third parties, mainly Hong Kong.

50.   The United States Tuesday expressed satsfaction with the European Union decision to ban ministerial contacts with Iran, a State Department official said.