He could reopen the debate on whether Canada should join the Bush administration's missile defense system, which Mr. Martin rejected with little diplomatic finesse.

But some have also criticized a lack of diplomatic finesse.

It is up to Rania, the brainy and also quite stunning new queen, to apply a little diplomatic finesse to an awkward situation.

"I thought you admired my diplomatic finesse," Coffey said.

His knowledge of human nature, inexhaustible energy, dauntless self-confidence and diplomatic finesse made him indispensable to Gustavus III.

She took a small amount of pleasure in knowing that some of Sisko's diplomatic finesse came from the time he'd spent with Curzon.

Thereafter, with diplomatic finesse, in the presence of the Deer Rock, the warring clans settled their differences and since then no further conflicts have occurred between them.

Piecing them together in unified campaigns requires the logistical skills and diplomatic finesse of a skilled battlefield commander.

For months Russia has tried to position itself as the one country capable, through diplomatic finesse and a history of friendship, of appealing to the Serbs.

Deborah Brennan, another Angel, who was a commando with the Australian special forces, thinks diplomatic finesse works better than force at mollifying alcohol-fueled crowds.