The thinking appears to be based in part on Wilton Park, an agency of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office that serves as a retreat for off-the-record diplomatic discussions on global themes.
Diplomatic politispeak was a common theme of Morrison's appearance.
But there has been concern in Israel that President Obama will prove a more demanding diplomatic partner than President Bush, a theme underscored by Mr. Obama's inaugural message to the Muslim world.
On the BBC Russian service, his authoritative voice became a lifeline for the persecuted, yet Metropolitan Anthony - as he was from 1966 - remained diplomatic, speaking on spiritual, but never political, themes.
In painstakingly diplomatic language, acknowledging "the particular sensitivity" of "this delicate theme," Mr. Stepashin asked forgiveness on behalf of Tolstoy, who was excommunicated 110 years ago.
Joining the French diplomatic service, he began writing poetry and plays, all dealing with religious themes.
In these decades he was strikingly innovative on themes which many other historians have since pursued: Nazi Propaganda (1964), A Diplomatic History of the First World War (1971) and The Masaryks: The Making of Czechoslovakia (1976).
South Korean officials sounded similar themes, saying that the North's effort was to extract a higher price — in aid, investment and diplomatic concessions — for restraining future launchings or nuclear tests.
Diplomatic embarrassment?
