July 2004Back to respecting sovereignty“We have made clear our opposition to the death penalty but Iraq does now have a sovereign government and we must respect that the sovereign Iraqi government is taking charge of governing the country.” – Spokesman for British PM Tony Blair. After former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was transferred to the legal custody of the interim Iraqi government. 16 July 2004.
In the criminal business, work quietly“The problem is that the Mossad doesn't seem to be learning from its mistakes, and lately there have been too many of these.” – Alon Liel, former director-general in the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Following the sentencing of two Mossad agents who tried to obtain New Zealand passports on false information. 15 July 2004.
Move on, folks, move on“We both [the US and UK] agreed Saddam was a threat. We both still think Saddam was a threat... Let's concentrate on making Iraq better.” – Tony Blair, British PM. On Iraq. 13 July 2004.
In the name of self-defence“What the court in The Hague wants is that we simply have no right to self-defence. It creates a dangerous precedent.” – Ranaan Gissin, adviser to Israeli PM Ariel Sharon. After the International Court of Justice ruled that the Israeli wall being built on Palestinian land is illegal. 9 July 2004.
We're being nice, actually“[We're constantly trying] to strike a balance between the rights of Palestinians to continue conducting their normal lives and our right to live.” – Ranaan Gissin, adviser to Israeli PM Ariel Sharon. After the World Court ruled that the Israeli wall in Palestine is illegal. 9 July 2004.
The sovereigns with their, er, international partners“The sovereign Iraqi people and our international partners are adamant that we will put an end to terrorism and chase those corrupt terrorists and will uproot them one by one.” – Ayad Allawi, US/UK-appointed interim PM of Iraq. Claiming involvement in US airstrikes that killed at least 10 Iraqis in Falluja early July. 6 July 2004.
Beats me where they've gone“I have to accept we haven't found them [Iraqi WMD] and we may never find them. We don't know what has happened to them. They could have been removed. They could have been hidden. They could have been destroyed.” – Tony Blair, British PM. Discussing Iraq with the Commons Liaison Committee. 6 July 2004.
Wait, we aren't ready for them“I don't think the United States is being unreasonable. We need to make sure that there is proper security in place for these people [the four remaining British prisoners at Guantanamo].” – Tony Blair, British PM. Explaining to the Commons Liaison Committee the reason for the prisoners' continued detention without charge or trial. 6 July 2004.
What government would that be?“This is a day of great hope for Iraqis. Today, Iraqis live under a government that strives for justice, upholds the rule of law, and defends the dignity of every citizen.” – George W Bush, US President. On a visit to Turkey, explaining the Iraqi view of the appointment of the Allawi Group as nominal administrators of Iraq. 5 July 2004.
Geopolitics for dummies“Democracy does not involve automatic agreement with other democracies... The future of freedom in the Islamic world will be determined by the citizens of Islamic nations, not by outsiders.” – George W Bush, US President. On the subject of democracy in the Isalmic world while on an official visit to Turkey. 5 July 2004.
Now it's up to the natives“Freedom and democracy are kind of a messy form of government, and I think that it'll take them awhile to get their feet under them and their legs under them to figure out what to do with it. But what an opportunity?” – Maj Gen Martin Dempsey, US First Armoured Division. After a ceremony in which the First Armoured Division "folded their flag" ahead of a scheduled departure from Iraq. 4 July 2004.
It's about wisdom“It is not wise to allow yourself to be terrorized. It's not wise to acquiesce to threats and bullying, and intimidation. Once you start down that road, it's a dead end.” – Donald Rumsfeld, US Defence Secretary. About the bombings and kidnappings in Iraq. 1 July 2004.
Hang in there, you dolts!“Their goal is to terrorize people and alter their behaviour, try to do what they did in Spain, which is change an outcome of something. Fortunately, as this has happened, we've seen country after country stand up and say they are not going to be dissuaded.” – Donald Rumsfeld, US Defence Secretary. Extempore on the psychology of the struggle for Iraq. 1 July 2004.
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