They apparently thought only of the struggle from the single point of view of their threatened interests.
Such, in brief essence, are the four major considerations involved in a rational man's view of his interests.
That probably will dispose them toward finding multilateral solutions to world problems, while a wholly sovereign America may choose - as recently in Iraq - to take a unilateral view of its interests.
It goes now to conference for reconciliation with an equally egregious House bill, woeful testimony to the Congressional view of America's best interests.
Pragmatism, not dogmatism, and a hard headed view of Britain's national interests should be the hallmark of Britain's approach to the coming negotiations.
France and Russia, eager for oil deals with Iraq, have taken a shortsighted view of their own best interests.
But that should not imply that national identities do not exist or that a country like ours does not have a medium-term view of its own interests.
From the point of view of Serbia's legitimate interests, he will be seen as the destroyer of Serbian interests.
That should be a considerable pillar for effective cooperation between the institutions from the point of view of citizens' interests.
The geriatrician is the last of the old-fashioned breed of general physicians who is skilled at untangling interrelated medical problems and taking a broader view of their patient's best interests.