Whatever his shortcomings, Mr Berlusconi has given Italy relatively stable government over the past nine years.

ECONOMIST: Charlemagne

Yet, whatever his shortcomings, few perceptive people failed to be impressed by Mr von Clemm's originality, his enthusiasm and his drive.

ECONOMIST: Michael von Clemm

Whatever his shortcomings as a person, many fellow Democrats figured long ago, he was at least a gifted athlete, an ambidextrous operator who could caper and maneuver and keep his feet dry.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia

Whatever his shortcomings as President of Zimbabwe, Mr Mugabe is regarded by his counterparts as someone who is either close to, or at the very top of this pecking order, and he would not take kindly to being ticked off by a "youngster" like Mr Mbeki.

BBC: Mbeki's dilemma over Zimbabwe