Western diplomats hope that the Russian move is just an opening bid in what will be long and tough negotiations.

Behind the scenes, diplomats and businessmen are hoping to court China's rich investors.

The number of releases was not as high as some diplomats were hoping for.

Their return now, diplomats hope, would make an American assault unnecessary.

In the meantime, diplomats hope that international pressure and aid will bring some results.

Oil, so often the cause of war, could be a lubricant for peace here, or so diplomats hope.

That would keep him in the air... or so the diplomat hoped.

American diplomats hope to make those payments within six weeks.

China may also abstain, though American diplomats still hope it will vote in favor.

Foreign diplomats hope that the cooperation that is beginning in local governments will work its way up through the whole political system.