Geoff Hoon Quotes (48 Quotes)

That kind of campaign has fortunately passed into history as technology has moved on.

encouraging because it shows the Indians are showing a first step back from the brink.

We had a very full exchange about relevant issues including the importance ... of controlling infiltration across the line of control that remains a matter of great concern to the United Kingdom and something we strongly emphasized to the government of Pakistan,

After careful evaluation, the chiefs of staff have advised me that UK forces are able to undertake the proposed operation, that there is a compelling military operational justification for doing so and that it entails a militarily acceptable level of risk for UK forces,

The British government believes we must be resolved to disarming Saddam Hussein. It must be done before the terror weapons he possesses can be used by Saddam himself or by others with his blessing. We must steel ourselves to the consequences of that resolve and send a clear message to Saddam Hussein You cannot win. You can only comply and disarm or be defeated. The choice is entirely yours.

To do nothing, to give Saddam Hussein time without end, as he wishes, would be easier than taking action, certainly.

I think that one of the things that is often overlooked about the relationship between the prime minister and the chancellor is that these two men worked together every single day when we were in opposition and I can remember being in Gordon's office a lot when I was Treasury whip and they would be constantly on the phone to each other talking all the time,

I can certainly confirm that there are members of Britain's armed forces on the ground in northern Afghanistan liaising with the Northern Alliance providing advice and assistance,

I actually think people out in the country are far more aware of the impact of the events of September 11 than some of the people who write in the newspaper are,

We are aware of reports that the aircraft may have been shot down, but we are not in a position to come to any conclusions until the investigation is complete,

The public must remain vigilant, we must continue to take care to deal with these kinds of appalling threats to our safety and security.

We will immediately take steps to identify and reduce notice to move for some additional headquarters and units, to allow further deployments as rapidly as possible in response to this accelerating program of work.

We are well aware that he spent many hours recently tape recording various messages... we need to do a little more analysis of what was actually said to see if that indeed was in fact Saddam Hussein,

The political connection between India and the UK runs deep and stands stronger than it has ever been. I attend this event for the second consecutive year and reinforce my belief that we have a lot to learn from the world's largest democracy.

My concern is that if turnout continues to fall requiring people to vote in a democratic election every four or five years does not seem to me to be a major attack on people's civil liberties.

The deaths of these servicemen are especially poignant on a day when Iraqis were able to enjoy the freedom of democratic elections for the first time in many years.

Anyone who is contemplating going to Afghanistan does need to think very carefully about the consequences, both to them and their families in terms of the grief they may suffer, as well as contemplate the legal action that might follow on their return, if they were to return,

What we are doing is ensuring that we have a range of military options available should they be required, ... This process does not lead inexorably to military action.

Calling British troop morale very, very high, ... about 45,000 servicemen and women representing a wide range of capabilities.

We do need internationally to work together to isolate North Korea and to demonstrate that we will not tolerate the way in which they both develop and proliferate weapons of mass destruction,

Obviously we have seen some excellent work by our police and security services, but that work must continue,

Obviously analysis continues but I can say straight away that those pictures were not live.

No previous home secretary was in the position to provide this information because no previous home secretary had the information available to him. We have seen a significant reduction in key crime statistics. That is an improvement. It is not sufficient. We want to see more progress.

This has happened in Kosovo. Fresh evidence is being discovered all the time.

We've made it clear that this is not the start of a major conflict, but certainly our forces are ready, they are prepared and they will take on the tasks that assigned to them,

There is excellent cooperation between our two countries in that respect. It's something that obviously we want to build on,

Can I emphasize that these judgments are made by highly experienced, highly professional military officers, ... This is not something in which politicians would seek to interfere.

threshold of terrorism has potentially been raised

We measured numbers of people and platforms in the Cold War because we were preparing for an essentially attritional campaign, holding back Soviet forces,

This work sets out how military arrangements for liaising with the civil authorities could be enhanced and how best to coordinate military assistance to them if requested.

According to the reports we have gathered, mostly from the refugees, it appears that around 10,000 people have been killed in more than 100 massacres. The final toll may be much worse,

We are disturbed that after the first evidence session (before the committee), which did not cover all the concerns released by the intelligence staff, the defense secretary decided against giving instructions for a letter to be written to us outlining the concerns.

We have made clear all along that this bill is for discussion and debate,

This is simply a warning shot, if you like, across the bows of the Iraqi leadership.

not be deflected by the enemies of peace.

The choice of what happens next remains with Baghdad and Saddam Hussein. The consequence of his failing to abide (by U. N. resolutions) is military action. Without that threat there is no hope,

I don't know the answer to your question but I will try and find out.

With winter on the horizon, they could fairly claim to have done enough, although we don't want to stop them at all,

In other words, the barbaric acts carried out in this building were probably almost a matter of routine.

A UK armored battle group consisting of the 1st Battalion the Black Watch and supporting units will deploy ... to relieve a U.S. unit for other tasks.

This government plans and prepares. We will plan and prepare for this winter.

I emphasize again that this was a military request and has been considered and accepted on operational grounds after a thorough military evaluation by the chiefs of staff,

but if conflict remains the only way to disarm Saddam Hussein, we are ready.

The government has decided that we should accept the U.S. request for assistance,

It's important that we continue to work together... that we understand each other's political difficulties.

Ministers regularly meet soldiers that have returned from operational tours to hear about their experiences, including those who have recovered from their injuries.

We are setting out very clearly what has happened. I wish sometimes journalists would listen a little more closely to what we are actually saying.

On a day to day basis, the Black Watch will of course have to coordinate their activity within the U.S. chain of command in the locality, but any changes in the mission or the tasking would have to be referred back to Gen. Rollo,