What would have been a great diplomatic breakthrough during the cold war seemed this summer merely another symbol of changed times.

It has set up a donors' conference for October but risks falling far short without a diplomatic breakthrough.

"Nixon" fared better in its time; it is, after all, a fantasy on a diplomatic breakthrough.

Palestinian officials presented the meeting as a diplomatic breakthrough.

Some analysts remain optimistic that direct talks will translate into a diplomatic breakthrough.

Whatever the financial effect, the announcement today may have reflected a significant diplomatic breakthrough for the Bush administration.

And the operation was not to take place if there had been any last-minute diplomatic breakthroughs.

What is less clear is whether the meeting offers much hope for a diplomatic breakthrough.

Democrats said this week's diplomatic breakthrough was a vindication of the President's policy and persistence with the air strikes.

In the meantime the diplomatic breakthrough was made in Italy.