1.   It was peopled by a fiercely independent race of peace-loving Buddhists.

2.   Fiercely independent, the elderly couple spurned all offers of financial help.

3.   Analysts, however, question the scope for cooperation between the fiercely independent Tractebel and Suez-Lyonnaise des Eaux, at least in the short term.

4.   And for a fiercely independent New Hampshire guy, he expresses quite frankly why they do.

5.   And what of Ted Turner, the fiercely independent founder of the company who has spent most of his career challenging establishment companies such as Time Warner?

6.   As for the agents of change, leaders of the new bloc share interests and experiences that manifest themselves in fiercely independent attitudes.

7.   A cut could tarnish the image of the fiercely independent Bundesbank, they said.

8.   A fiercely independent politician, Dunn broke ranks with party officials regularly and publicly.

9.   A reclusive, fiercely independent figure who worked his way up from textbook salesman to company president in seven years, Jovanovich defied industry conventions.

10.   A sympathetic offer of help, even a loan, from Michael, only infuriates the fiercely independent Bill.