Perhaps the one event that best illustrates both good and bad diplomacy occurred in December 1996. As then NATO Secretary General, Javier Solana, raised his glass to offer a toast to retiring US Secretary of State Warren Christopher, France's Foreign Minister, Herve de Charette, abruptly stood up and left the room.

The good diplomacy was that of Solana. You see, Christopher -- whom he was toasting -- was the man who recommended Solana to Clinton for the job of NATO Secretary General. 

The bad diplomacy was that of France's Charette who stood up and left the room. At the time the US and France were butting heads over Africa and who would become the new head of the UN. But, instead of helping, Charette's walkout worsened France's position with the other alliance leaders at a time she needed it the most.

Here's my point: I believe Solana and France would both like to see much less of the US and more of Europe in the European Union's new military wing. However, unlike France, Solana is much more diplomatic about how to achieve his goal.

After all, it was Solana and the French EU presidency who worked so closely together in 2000 to implement Recommendation 666 and transfer the 10-nation Western European Union military alliance into the Council of Europe.

Here's my point: If you've been following my commentaries about the mini summit that's going to be held tomorrow in Brussels by France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg (Read about it here), you know what I think. I think we're seeing France and other anti-American factions in the EU attempting to create their long desired "hard core" before the 10 new nations officially become a part of the EU in 2004. You see, these 10 new nations are pro-American and their entry will shift the balance of power in the EU away from France and Germany and toward Great Britain.

However, if you've been following the news, you are also aware of all the reports that suggest tomorrow's mini summit was a big diplomatic blunder coming so soon after the stunning US and British victories in Iraq (Read about it here).

And, where's Solana on this issue of a "hard core" group? Solana -- ever the diplomat --  is reported to be wisely staying away from this anti-American mini summit to be held tomorrow in Brussels.

So, does this mean Solana is really against forming a "hard core" anti-American defense group in the EU? I don't think so.

I think Solana just knows when it's time to offer a toast.