41.   But eventually a New Zealand republic was inevitable, she said.

42.   But he added that his former Soviet republic was not yet ready to be ruled by a strong parliament.

43.   But he is a long way from proving that his republic is a safe bet for western companies hungry for Azerbaijani oil.

44.   But Moscow says the Muslim republic is and will remain part of Russia.

45.   But Moscow still considers the oil-rich, crime-ridden republic to be part of the Russian Federation.

46.   But the breakaway republic is full of weapons, and the newly elected president, Aslan Maskhadov, acknowledges that some renegade groups are not under his control.

47.   But the impoverished republic has so far been reluctant to host U.S. troops.

48.   But U.S. Defense Secretary Willaim Perry said last fall that the three former Soviet republics were not ready for full membership and Siebert signalled that assessment has not changed.

49.   But Washington says the three former Soviet republics are not ready to be offered membership when the alliance expands this summer.

50.   Chechen leaders consider their republic to be an independent state.