They want to withdraw backing from Moscow and support the rebellious republics.

Mr. Baker also plans separate talks with leaders of the rebellious Baltic republics.

Factory managers, particularly in more rebellious republics, routinely ignore directives from Moscow, responding instead to the demands of local leaders.

The draft also called on the state bank to toughen credits to rebellious republics.

Looming ahead is the specter of rebellious republics seceding from the union, threatening to fragment the far-flung space enterprise.

Most ominously, Mr Gorbachev faces a drastic loss of revenue to the central budget from the rebellious republics.

True, he is under pressure from reactionaries to crush the rebellious republics.

Three car bombs went off today in towns adjoining the rebellious republic of Chechnya.

And he'd do well not to invoke martial law against rebellious republics.

Doubts had arisen because of his severe domestic problems, including economic shortages and challenges from rebellious republics.