Western specialists regarded the quality of goods available to be poor when judged by their standards.

Western military specialists suggest that the Government has underestimated popular support for the insurgents.

"It's a sign of an army husbanding its resources," a Western military specialist said.

Some Western specialists say even that is too optimistic.

"I don't think we'll see further offensives soon," the Western specialist said.

But she, too, Western specialists say, had built a private power base.

"China is playing both sides of the sword," said a Western environmental specialist.

Four of these, Western specialists say, are among the most deficient and neglected they have ever seen.

"They are changing the society and its leadership," a Western specialist said.

"They really don't like this issue," one Western specialist said recently.