"They are shooting themselves in the foot," said one French diplomat.

“他们总是搬起石头砸自己的脚。”一名法国外交官说。

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“It’s not going to happen, ” one senior European diplomat said of Mr. Geithner’s plan on Tuesday, “and the Americans know it.” Mr. Geithner still endorses the idea, but he seems to be scaling back.

周二，欧洲一位高级外交官在评论盖特纳的计划时表示，“这不可能实现，美国也很清楚这点”，盖特纳先生目前依旧持有这种观点，而且看起来他暂时还不会改变。

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"We do not consider that we are breaching our principles," said one diplomat.

“我们并不认为我们是在搬石砸脚”，一个外交官说道。

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One council diplomat said Lebanon could prove to be something of a wild card on Middle East issues particularly Iran's nuclear ambitions.

VOA: standard.2009.10.15

One EU diplomat said the changes could prove significant, allowing European countries to provide various forms of training and assistance to the opposition.

WSJ: Europe Extends Syria Arms Embargo

One Western diplomat said it is a "dream to think that the Northern Alliance would get out of Kabul, " now that the forces have captured the city.

CNN: Move into Afghan capital hastens diplomatic steps

One senior diplomat said that while Mr. Sharif is a tougher negotiator, he could have the power to implement whatever he agrees to, unlike what this person characterized as a largely powerless Mr. Zardari.

WSJ: Eyes on Economy, Ex-PM Leads Pakistan's Race