"These are not the moves of a man who is about to relinquish power," said a senior Latin American diplomat.

"They seem to be drawing the wrong lessons from what has happened," said one frustrated Latin American diplomat here.

"His hands are tied," one Latin American diplomat here said.

"This entire disaster can be understood only as a double failure," a Latin American diplomat said.

"In some respects, it has been a return to the good old days," said one Latin American diplomat here.

"Peace for the first time is more than just a dream," said a senior Latin diplomat with good contacts on both sides.

"This is a problem that has become more urgent because of recent events," a Latin American diplomat here said.

The general "was bragging to the military about how important his visitors were," said one Latin American diplomat.

"He is the best improvisational speaker in the country, by far," noted one Latin diplomat.

"It doesn't hurt to have a mistress around here," a Latin American diplomat said.