The match, after a contest that the mainland team won easily in Athens, is just part of a drive by Beijing to induce Hong Kong voters to support its candidates and not the pro-democracy opposition.

The pro-democracy opposition is preparing for a general strike, and there is speculation that King Birendra, the all-powerful sovereign, might suspend Parliament.

General Sani Abacha, who seized power last November, has pledged to restore civilian rule and declared that the conference will be a step on the way, but the pro-democracy opposition has called for a boycott.

The demonstrations, organized by the country's pro-democracy opposition, were peaceful.

The military government in Burma said it would hand over power to the pro-democracy opposition which took an overwhelming lead in the elections for the National Assembly.

In 2005 he talked about his coming out process and the homophobia that exists, even with the pro-democracy opposition.

Candidates from the pro-democracy opposition here captured roughly three-fifths of the popular vote, while Beijing's local allies captured most of the rest.

The presidential balloting was secret, but legislators said the votes against Mr. Gorbachev came from some members of the pro-democracy opposition that argued for a general election, from Communist Party functionaries, and from some of the 82 military officers in the congress.

The pro-democracy opposition captured 24 seats.

As stated in the last Council conclusions, human rights should always be addressed on these high-level visits and, when appropriate, meetings with the peaceful pro-democracy opposition will be part of these visits.