"My preference would be for discreet, quiet diplomatic discussions and dialogue," he said.

"We do not mean diplomatic discussions," the leady explained.

Failure to give a positive reply would cause Germany to withdraw from the diplomatic discussions "and let things take their course".

"The time has passed for political caution and diplomatic discussions over tea in this matter."

"There is a disconnect between the diplomatic discussion and the activity on the ground," the official said.

I think that it's time we understand that we will not win the diplomatic discussion.

It also provides a useful setting for diplomatic discussions that would be awkward to arrange otherwise.

Nevertheless, by March 1999, the countries were in diplomatic discussions aimed at improving relations between them.

As diplomatic and political discussions heated up, the military took its first public step in preparing for an invasion.

But while the diplomatic discussions dragged on, the Northern Alliance swept into the capital.