Diplomats say the President also retains enough clout to protect lucrative business ties, particularly in diamond mining.

For rhetoric like that, the President may as well retain Sammy Gravano.

The President retains his grip through old-fashioned repression.

The President, however, retains the power to deny pardon.

"We feel the President must retain maximum flexibility in dealing with foreign governments," a trade official said.

"The President," she was pleased to report, "retains his health and his spirits beyond what you could imagine."

Despite the deadlines, the President retains flexibility if he can assure Congress that progress is being made.

Congress wants these rulings enforced automatically; the Justice Department says the President must retain authority to direct the enforcement.

However, the President retains the right not to retaliate if he concludes such action is against the national interest.

The President, however, retains command of the armed forces when they are raised, as commander-in-chief.