This wink-and-nod approach to history may be politically expedient, but is unconvincing and inevitably puts Japan back on the defensive because the government looks like it is shirking.

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Ever since the generals persuaded Turkey's new police and intelligence chiefs to start arresting suspected underworld bosses earlier this year, Mr Yilmaz's claim to be responsible for the operation has sounded unconvincing.

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As people on the left began to mutter that Mr Amato was a competent prime minister but an unconvincing candidate to win an election, the mayor let it be known that he is available.

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Cook is also unconcerned about being outmuscled and believes Arthur's unconvincing win over Stephen Foster Jr last December showed the Scot could be given problems by smaller men.

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"If that was the reason, many of them would be going on stand-by, " said Eriksson, in recognition of an unconvincing performance.

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Moreover, if superior infrastructure is supposed to be the surefire Keynesian route to economic growth, then the European example is certainly unconvincing.

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He seems to be keeping the seat warm for her son, Rahul, a pleasant-seeming but unconvincing chap apparently destined to represent the fifth generation of his family to lead Congress.

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Despite this blip, and unconvincing Tory attempts to draw broader conclusions from it, Mr Milburn and Tony Blair must be thanking their lucky stars.

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