He was lucky that his stewardship coincided with the end of the cold war, which opened up all sorts of diplomatic possibilities.

From the moment that the submarine war was a political and diplomatic possibility, the prophecies came.

At that meeting, France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg - opposed the start of military planning on the grounds that diplomatic possibilities were not yet exhausted.

The new administration was again registering its concerns, just as its predecessor had, but it was still searching for new incentives to open up diplomatic possibilities.

"To do that, it's important that they feel all the diplomatic possibilities are exhausted before we step up the pressure."

For Cromwell and the Commonwealth, the question of possession of Dunkirk thus passed from regional diplomatic possibility to urgent political necessity.

The Soviet Union and other powers are unlikely to sign on to military action until diplomatic possibilities are exhausted.

He had exhausted his diplomatic, financial and military possibilities.

After postponing action on the plan for months, Mr. Bush has chosen to act at a moment of some diplomatic possibility and great American leverage here.

"The meaning, Mister Ambassador, is that we're going to continue discussing this matter until I'm satisfied that all diplomatic possibilities have been exhausted."