Word: countrymen
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...opening address at a National Assembly session called to adopt a new constitution giving him vast powers as President. Suddenly a rocket explosion shook the meeting hall. Three more blasts, each louder than the last, followed during the next few minutes. The beefy Najibullah, 41, known to his countrymen as "the Ox," never flinched as he outlined a policy of national reconciliation aimed at ending eight years of civil war. The rockets killed five people outside the hall, helping the rebels make a brutal point: they are closing in on a government that is growing steadily weaker and more dependent...
Though it is by no means certain that a Soviet pullout is imminent, Najibullah was hard at work last week trying to legitimize his regime in the eyes of his overwhelmingly Islamic countrymen. He billed the National Assembly meeting as a loya jirgah, an Afghan Muslim tradition in which village elders and religious leaders gather to consult in times of national crisis. Though the Afghan leader, who joined the Communist Party in 1965, has never been notably religious, he opened all his speeches with the Islamic preamble, "In the name of Allah, the beneficent and merciful . . ." To downplay his connections...
Chirac faced relatively mild criticism from the opposition Socialists, who were reluctant to argue with what looked like success. If he manages to win the release of the three remaining Frenchmen held in Lebanon, he will be a hero to many of his countrymen and will thus improve his chances in next spring's presidential elections. But the Premier's high-risk dealings with Tehran could backfire if there is an Iranian double cross. As for France's allies, they were nervously wondering last week just what kind of deal, if any, Chirac had cut with Iran...
...reformers, Deng cowtowed to the conservatives to maintain his power--clamping down on protests and toning-down reforms. He held back on plans to reform the political structure, including separating the Communist party from day-to-day governing. Despite the best intentions, Deng was able to push his countrymen only...
...says Ramon, pulling out a calculator. "Your countrymen have been rather lax about their financial obligations to the United Nations. There's $28 million you owe for the regular budget--you know, for everyday items like tips, office supplies, kickbacks, and bribes; $172 million for peacekeeping in Southern Lebanon...