Lawyers, meanwhile, scoffed at his vigorous declarations of independence from BP, which he still makes.

WSJ: Overseer of US victim funds says work wrenching

These and other figures have offered a common assessment -- and a common prescription: German endorsement of the Croat and Slovene declarations of independence would grievously complicate efforts to end the fighting and, therefore, Germany must continue to be bound by an international consensus that denies such recognition for the foreseeable future.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy