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Diplomacy Quotes
"In terms of weapons, the best disarmament tool so far is nuclear energy. We have been taking down the Russian warheads, turning it into electricity. 10 percent of American electricity comes from decommissioned warheads."
23
"But the United States did not keep its word. Is an American's word reliable these days?"
23
"Once the Xerox copier was invented, diplomacy died."
22
"If the United States of America or Britain is having elections, they don't ask for observers from Africa or from Asia. But when we have elections, they want observers."
21
"Widowhood had done nothing to curb my smart mouth. So much for diplomacy."
21
"He is forever poised between a cliche and an indiscretion."
20
"I'm a junkie. I like drugs, I like the whole lifestyle, but it just didn't pay off."
20
"This is the very devilish thing about foreign affairs: they are foreign and will not always conform to our whim."
18
"Again, I think we have much greater diplomatic weight by having all of us sit on the same side of the table wanting the same thing, and putting it to the North Koreans."
18
"(A Foreign Secretary) is forever poised between the cliche and the indiscretion."
17
"In the world of diplomacy, some things are better left unsaid."
17
"That's exactly where they send entry-level diplomats. After you cut your teeth on a few civil wars and a famine or two, you might get lucky and be given a plum post somewhere in the SECOND World."
17
"We are hopeful that the North Koreans can show a little bit more realism, a little bit more flexibility."
16
"Modern diplomats approach every problem with an open mouth."
16
"The only summit meeting that can succeed is the one that does not take place."
16
"Diplomats are useful only in fair weather. As soon as it rains they drown in every drop."
16
"Voices were heard from the United States of America which made it clear that America wanted a peaceful and united Europe as a basis for mutual cooperation."
15
"For too long, Japan has been dragging its feet as it ignores the steps the U.S. has made to ensure a safe beef supply and shows a disregard for our prior trade pacts."
15
"Japan is dealing us a dead hand. For two years we have watched the Japanese drag their feet and we can't let them continue to slam the door in our faces."
15
"It's proper and appropriate to remind the Chinese about what they get out of solid relations with the United States."
15
"Many hard comments have been made on my efforts in India from the side of the Congress party, yet I feel content in the deep conviction that the offer I traveled 22,000 miles to discuss with Indian leaders was a real contribution to a solution of our differences."
14
"This is the devilish thing about foreign affairs: they are foreign and will not always conform to our whim."
14
"A peace talk is always difficult, always complicated."
14
"There is no greater success as when you turn your enemy into your ally."
14
"Peace: in international affairs a period of cheating between two periods of fighting."
14
"Diplomacy is not an end in itself if it does not advance U.S. interests."
13
"American presidents always avoid shaking hands with brutal dictators, except when it's advantageous to do so."
13
"In Europe it is particularly important that we build good relations to everyone who holds political responsibility because Europe can only be build together."
13
"Diplomacy is to do and say the nastiest things in the nicest way."
13
"When I am abroad, I always make it a rule never to criticize or attack the government of my own country. I make up for lost time when I come home."
11
"Like Prince von Bismarck in diplomacy, I have no secrets."
11
"If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner."
11
"They enlarged the domains of commerce by treaties with all nations, upon the great principle of equal justice to all nations, and special favors to none."
9
"The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible."
8
"Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations...entangling alliances with none."
6
"You don't always have to chop with the sword of truth. You can point with it too."
6
"You weren't able to talk sense into him?"Well, we kind of tried to kill each other in a duel to the death."I see. You tried the diplomatic approach."
6
"Palestinian and Israeli leaders finally recover the Road Map to Peace, only to discover that, while they were looking for it, the Lug Nuts of Mutual Interest came off the Front Left Wheel of Accommodation, causing the Sport Utility Vehicle of Progress to crash into the Ditch of Despair."
6
"It is easier to start a war than to end it."
5
"From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent."
4
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