ITALY: You have heard of warship diplomacy, well now stand by for "bel canto" diplomacy. Many people probably know by now that versatile Italian Prime Minister and media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi has a penchant for tickling the old ivories. Indeed, such was his prowess as a pianist and singer that in his far-off student days, he once earned his crust crooning on an ocean-going liner, writes Paddy Agnew
Just to prove that he has not lost his touch, Mr Berlusconi occasionally entertains guests with some after-dinner singing. Only last week, at his luxury summer villa on Sardinia's Costa Smeralda, he hit the keyboard again for the benefit of his friend and ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On that occasion, the Prime Minister accompanied the Neapolitan singer Mariano Apicella in a series of love songs, some of which were reportedly penned by Mr Berlusconi himself.
Those of us curious to know what love songs from the pen of a sitting Prime Minister might sound like will shortly find out.
According to Italian daily Libero, singer Apicella will next month launch a CD of love songs, including some written by Mr Berlusconi.
Alas, the Prime Minister's role in the CD is limited to that of composer and he will not apparently feature either as singer or pianist.
Although the Prime Minister's office was last night unable to confirm the Libero report, the paper carried the text of at least one of his compositions: "I don't know any more/Whether to believe you when you tell me/That you still love me/I sense that life wants to break us apart/And I am frightened/Of being without you/Because without you I simply cannot live any more/If I even think of it, I feel I might die."
Media reports inform us that President Putin greatly enjoyed the Berlusconi-Apicella duo last week, applauding warmly as the Prime Minister joined in with Apicella on some of his own songs.
Judging by the extremely cordial and relaxed atmosphere at a joint Berlusconi-Putin news conference in Porto Rotondo last week, Mr Berlusconi's "bel canto" diplomacy has already made its contribution to international relations.
We await with interest the launch of the CD in order to assess the Berlusconi contribution to the historical body of "bel canto".