And although the president enjoys extraordinary budgetary powers in the Philippines including a line-item veto and the ability to reallocate funds easily most of the problem is on the other side of the ledger.

ECONOMIST: After the B movie, a new main attraction for Filipinos

U.S. endorsement of the Vance-Owen plan would also be tantamount to ceding victory to the hardline forces in Russia who have been boasting of their ability effectively to veto any international actions contrary to Serbian interests.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

The government still has the ability to overturn any veto in the upper house with its two-thirds majority in the lower one.

ECONOMIST: Japan