But when push came to shove, we blase Western correspondents told each other, the government and the party would get their way.

It is they, very often, who are feeding conspiracy theories to Western correspondents, and who would welcome his demise.

So, we just have to find new methods of getting our information, the way you Western correspondents always have to.

"Demand from Russia drastic economic reforms," he told a group of Western correspondents.

Chinese sources had been saying for about a week that a Western correspondent would be expelled for what they described as "unfriendly reporting."

The area is closed to Western correspondents, and official accounts of the unrest and the death toll have been sketchy.

It had led to a major curtailment of aid operations in Chechnya, and many Western correspondents also no longer go there.

Mr. Hajek, who during the last 20 years would frequently meet with foreign visitors, recognized a Western correspondent.

Western correspondents, who must notify the Government about travel plans several days before departure, cannot visit the troubled areas until the weekend at the earliest.

Western correspondents have been refused entry to the country.