Yet, it seems certain that his Justice Department's investigation will shed no helpful light on the degree of involvement by the Executive Office of the President or, in case he was parsing his words deliberately, the culpability of those who work for him elsewhere in the government.

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More importantly, it will demand a degree of presidential involvement, leadership and consistency that have not been in evidence of late.

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Mr Fabius will have a difficult balancing act maintaining the momentum for reform, while at the same time preserving the distinctive French approach to economic reform, with a higher degree of state involvement in industry than in most other countries in Europe.

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Interestingly, though, Mr Zeng has spoken with unusual frequency on the need for at least a limited degree of political reform, such as more openness and public involvement in the selection and supervision of officials.

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Humane strategies need to be developed and adopted across social care and health settings with a much greater degree of co-operation, information sharing and family involvement.

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