Knowledgeable statesmen and strategic experts have warned that, given the nondemocratic, authoritarian character of the Syrian regime and the unpredictability of what might take place in Syria after Hafez al-Assad is no longer in power, an Israeli agreement to return to the 1967 borders could cause Israel to end up with neither peace nor the Golan Heights.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Sharon Says 'No' to the Golan's Surrender

Still, it is not in the character of Mr Rajapaksa's authoritarian regime, which has terrorised the country's once-vigorous independent media, to brook dissent.

ECONOMIST: Sri Lanka's election

Order has collapsed in Haiti, Venezuela is governed by a populist with authoritarian tendencies, Bolivia's next president may be a similar character and the governments of Ecuador and Peru are shaky.

ECONOMIST: What can Latin America expect of a re-elected George Bush?