pro-independence

Now, the island's pro-independence figures can only urge Taiwanese to be wary of China's apparent goodwill gesture.

He said that Chen Shuibian had nothing to do except push a pro- "independence" timetable.

A certain level of stability has returned to Chechnya, since the Russian attacks exhausted the pro-independence movement.

Rapprochement with China, however vexing for the pro-independence camp, could open up agreements with the US, Japan and Euroland.

Politics in Taiwan looks like a battle between pro-independence and pro-unification camps.

China had offered pandas to Taiwan in 2005, but they were rejected by the pro-independence government of then-President Chen Shui-bian.

Montilla was repeatedly abused by pro-independence demonstrators, who appear increasingly to reflect the popular mood.

Even in western Europe, there is talk of Belgium dividing in two, while a pro-independence party has taken power in Scotland.

"Their intentions are clear, " says Lai I-chung, with the pro-independence Taiwan Thinktank.

The pro-independence party rejects the 1992 consensus as a dangerous downgrade of sovereignty.

Mr. Chen had also hoped to establish such flights, but talks foundered because of China's objections to his pro-independence moves.

China refused to deal with Ma's pro-independence predecessor.

Order imposed through violence, or the threat of violence, will only heighten pro-independence sentiment.

The island's pro-independence party is divided on how to deal with Chen, with critics wanting to draw a line between him and the party.

He was invited by the pro-independence opposition to tour areas devastated by Typhoon Morokot.

He has spoken out strongly against an election won by Taiwan's pro-independence party.

In the 1980s he served as party chief in Guizhou and Tibet, where he oversaw crackdowns on pro-independence protests.

Pro- independence forces want the Tibetan areas cleansed of Han (as happened in 1912 and 1949);