Even diplomats in Pyongyang have rarely if ever seen him.

Neither side has given any ground since the war and diplomats see little prospect of both sides accepting a deal.

"It is my understanding that, at the moment, diplomats of various embassies see almost everybody," he said.

Western diplomats and American officials see hope in economic pressures.

Danish diplomats see an even heavier hand in some of the violence.

For now, most diplomats who have followed the war see little prospect of an early return to peace, under the King or anybody else.

Many diplomats see the use of force against Iraq as remote.

So last month, the 46-year-old diplomat saw an opportunity to change some minds.

Most diplomats here see little room for give on either side.

Foreign diplomats saw some of the bodies and said the dead men did not appear to be from Macedonia.