Mr Latham suggested that "Huntley's diversionary tactics" often occurred just before or after phone conversations with Ms Carr.

BBC: Prosecution rounds on Carr

It says Mr Kim is merely engaging in "diversionary tactics" to attract global attention and to attain Pyongyang's ultimate aim of "bargaining with the US at the negotiating table".

BBC: China media: Bird flu outbreak

They are also probably a precipitating factor in the kind of provocative statements and diversionary tactics that the Iranians have used to try to change the subject from the fact that they will not abide by their international obligations, and that is why they are the subject of this kind of pressure and this kind of isolation.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing