The slightest weakening of the central authority provoked acts of defiance from the Katehriya Rajputs.

There is no obvious leader to back, Mr. Hussein is popular with the Arab public, and there is a risk of provoking terrorist acts against the United States.

Reductions in wages and employment had provoked acts ranging from isolated arson and cattle maiming to collective wage riots.

Diazepam may increase, in some people, the propensity toward self-harming behaviours and, in extreme cases, may provoke suicidal tendencies or acts.

"I have in mind attempts by isolated persons and groups to attain their own personal or group objectives by organizing mass disorders and provoking acts of violence," he said.

Such allegations come at a time when Washington is rounding up people associated with the suspected network of Mr. bin Laden, yet is eager not to provoke new acts of terrorism.

But one of those colleagues, Ephraim Sneh, in an interview on Friday, firmly rejected the idea that Israel's military actions were provoking specific terrorist acts.

By cultivating these carefully we shall be able in future to prevent things from becoming so dangerously strained that people can take advantage of them to provoke acts of hostility.

"The latest developments vindicate earlier warnings that Khatami's opponents might resort to provoking acts of violence, followed by a harsh crackdown on free debate and freedom of expression," the paper said.

But demonstrations guards from Gothenburg action and Attac were able to intervene against attempts by the demonstrators to provoke violent acts and riots did not occur.