According to Micropal, his LG Asian Smaller Companies Fund has been the best-performing offshore ex-Japan Far East fund during nearly every period since it was launched in 1992.

FORBES: Bad government, good companies

The second is a round of enlargement that will bring in a different set of new members: not, as on previous occasions, other more-or-less prosperous West European countries, but the far poorer ex-communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

ECONOMIST: Europe's mid-life crisis

The ex-premier has so far never had a conviction upheld by the highest court and never served any time in jail.

NPR: Knox Case Puts Italian Justice Under Scrutiny