He restored democratic government in the face of economic turmoil and sabotage attempts by hard-line officers and political right-wingers.

Diplomats concede that, however brutal, the hard-line officers' logic may not be altogether flawed.

Wielding an 'Iron Hand' In recent days, diplomats said, hard-line military officers have been taking a more active role in politics.

Further, friends of General Cruz argued that he was being picked on because of his reputation as a hard-line officer who in the past had frequently clashed with journalists.

At the same time, with hard-line military officers hovering and their own rhetoric pumping up the people, they cannot watch idly as Taiwan escapes.

Military sources said that up to 16 hard-line Islamist officers were involved in the coup, with some of them being detained.

Reluctant to give up power, hard-line Tutsi officers staged a coup and assassinated Mr. Ndadaye, setting off ethnic violence that took more than 100,000 lives.

Apodaca was hopelessly trapped between hard-line European Spanish officers who demanded the restoration of the absolutist regime and others, including Mexicans, who wanted more moderate solutions.

These hard-line officers controlled the People's Liberation Army, which itself controlled large amounts of the bureaucracy.

There is no evidence to suggest that he has been under pressure from hard-line officers opposed to reunification and compromise.