You have to work the phones, cajole world leaders to do this or that.

When the jubilation and the justly earned compliments for the Palestinians subside, both Arab rulers and Arab masses (the much hyped Arab street ) may start asking some hard questions.

Chinese diplomats now maintain closer relations with think tanks than their European counterparts do, and are praised for their constructive contribution to the public debate.

And New Yorkers have grown accustomed to reading about subway heroes brave souls who leap onto the tracks to rescue fallen commuters and then often slip away, uncomfortable with attention or credit.

Praise for the document's uniqueness will undoubtedly be heard, and in this they won't be boasting, because the EU Constitution is unlike any other constitution ever written.

MADRID In a decision criticized and praised in equal measure, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded this year s Peace Prize to the European Union in recognition of its contributions to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe over the past six decades.