1.   And if the Muslims push too hard in the future, many Western diplomats here fear, the fragile joint government could swiftly disintegrate.

2.   Already, thousands of Taliban have fled into Pakistan, and could well destabilize the fragile government here.

3.   Colombia is a country with a fragile civilian government and a military with one of the worst human rights records in Latin America.

4.   It was Ramos, as armed forces chief and defense minister, who defended Mrs. Aquino against repeated coup attempts and preserved her fragile democratic government.

5.   Latin America is enjoying a resurgence of democracy, and the United States should nurture these fragile governments to maturity.

6.   Leaders of both countries complain that Russia is trying to destabilize their fragile governments, and they are eager to find new friends in the West.

7.   The administration has also contended that sending thousands of immigrants back to Haiti when United Nations peacekeeping troops have pulled out could destabilize an already fragile government.

8.   They contended that sending thousands of Haitians back to Haiti when U.N. peacekeeping troops have pulled out could destabilize an already fragile government.

9.   Two journalists survey the culture and politics of a complex nation whose growing sophistication is offset by a poor human rights record, irresponsible party leaders and fragile governments.

10.   Yet international observers worry the presence of the Kosovars is providing a destabilizing force for an already fragile government.