Verbatim

1 minute read
TIME

“We’ve stayed in Iraq long enough.”

Carlos McKenzie,
U.S. Army soldier, after his convoy was attacked by Iraqi guerrilla troops, who killed one American

“The disputes are over and things are all right.”

Mahmoud Abbas,
Palestinian Prime Minister, announcing that he and Yasser Arafat have resolved their differences on how to achieve peace with Israel

“I think we are losing control.”

William Perry,
former U.S. Defense Secretary, commenting on the country’s escalating tensions with North Korea

“If I were to leave this country before the peacekeeping troops arrive… I see murder, mayhem. I see rape.”

Charles Taylor,
Liberian President, indicted by the U.N. for war crimes, trying to set terms for when he will leave his war-torn nation

“If you are going to offer these people democracy, then offer it to them in the fullest extreme.”

Johnny Rotten,
front man of the punk band the Sex Pistols, who wants to play Baghdad to show Iraqis the “downside” of democracy

“If we are to encourage a derring-do society, we must allow some risktaking, and a little excitement.”

Goh Chok Tong,
Singaporean Prime Minister, announcing that the city-state will allow bungee jumping

More Must-Reads from TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com