1.   But its reliance on military repression has driven Kurdish civilians into the arms of separatist militants and united Kurdish political leaders on both sides of the border.

2.   Even after eight months, the army still has trouble distinguishing civilians from the separatist militants it has vowed to destroy.

3.   He proposed a toast to the success of the Russian campaign against separatist Chechen militants, and to lasting peace in the strife-torn Caucasus region.

4.   Her victory came with strong support from Tamil-speaking Hindus after she promised to open peace talks with the separatist Tiger militants.

5.   It is also to secure the loyalty of a wary population, depriving the separatist militants of the popular support they need to wage a long guerrilla war.

6.   Officials said the men were separatist Islamic militants fighting Indian rule of Kashmir.

7.   Predominantly Muslim Pakistan and largely Hindu India have fought two wars over Kashmir, and India accuses Pakistan of supporting separatist militants who carry out attacks in the territory.

8.   Separatist militants have called for a boycott of the elections.

9.   The Russians may also seek to depopulate towns like Samashki to deprive Chechen separatist militants of the support the towns provided in the last war.

10.   Paramilitary soldiers and separatist militants exchanged fire in a northeastern state in India and at least nine people were killed, news agencies reported Saturday.