"So the old governor of NWFP has been asked to leave."
"Well, that's not fair. It is not as if he was not doing precisely what was required of him."
"But the problems of the province, the ungovernable tribal areas..."
"Were not his fault! Surely anyone can see that."
"Maybe that was understood which is why he was offered an Ambassador's post instead."
"Since when doesn't one need some basic qualifications to be posted as an ambassador?"
"Ah, anyone can be ambassador. All you got to do is smile and give parties and, need I add, no one knows how to give better parties than members of the armed forces."
"Or retired members of the armed forces as in this case - I believe the Governor was a retired naval officer."
"But still an Ambassador is an important post. One must need some qualifications..."
"Or less of some!"
"What do you mean?"
"Some of our anointed ambassadors were returned with thanks by several European countries."
"Why?"
"Their service in our armed forces..."
"Yes, but in this country that is a rather high qualification."
"I guess. Talking of qualifications you need a minimum qualification for standing for national and provincial assembly seats."
"Right, but you don't have to be a diplomat to be an ambassador!"
"Well, the former Governor of NWFP must have been diplomatic enough to get the job in the first place."
"I guess and you will no doubt argue that this is precisely why he was offered the ambassadorship."
"Which he is reported to have rejected."
"I guess on a scale of one to 10 an ambassador is a 7 or an 8 while a Governor is a 8 or a 9. So it's not politic to bring oneself down. See none of our former PMs want a job any less in prestige..."
What rating would you give a CM?"
"Same rating - 8 or 9."
"And the PM?"
"Same my friend. Only two offices are above that and if I have to name those for you then you should really quit talking of politics."
"Well, the new Governor of NWFP..."
"I am not curious as to who it is."
"Why?"
"Because it brings to mind the phrase old wine in new bottles."
"And as they say in France, the older the wine the better the wine."
"Indeed."