China seems determined to press early next week for a similar, or even tougher formal "presidential statement."

But China was not alone in having qualms about the presidential statement.

Other courts have said or suggested that presidential statements, as one of them put it, "lack persuasive authority."

But at this stage, the talk is focused on the much lesser action represented by a presidential statement.

"We're finished with the presidential statement: that step is over," he said.

The Council took no formal action in the form of a resolution or presidential statement, however.

But it took weeks over the winter to get the weakest of Security Council actions - a "presidential statement."

The presidential statement purposely omitted certain agents, while others were simply overlooked.

We are profoundly disturbed by the loss of civilian life, and the matter has been repeatedly declared in our presidential statements.

There may also, I hope, be two forward-looking presidential statements.