Mr Vajpayee's peace overture in April 2003, while bold, was seen as having only modest chances.

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After all, North Korea's latest bluff is now followed by a putative peace overture, including a willingness to return to nuclear talks.

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President Assad has also reiterated his willingness to talk peace with Israel, though Israel rebuffed the overture, insisting that he should first expel Hamas and its ilk.

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