Robin Oakley Quotes (32 Quotes)

It's been a very, very big turnout and it will mean a huge sigh of relief for the 10 applicant countries and for European Union leaders across the continent.

(Blair) was saying that one way or another inaction was not a possibility -- there has to be action of one kind or another.

But a window of opportunity is seen for this now, the political demands for it are growing across the world all the time, and there is immense pressure on Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon,

But it comes at a time when the IRA is under intensive pressure. It has been put on the defensive over the arrests in Colombia of IRA members working with FARC rebels and there are allegations it was involved in a burglary of Special Branch offices in Belfast in March,

stricter standards applied to those who influence impressionable young people.

The Jewish community in Europe is much heartened by this conference. They felt European leaders were in denial about the increase in anti-Semitic attacks,

Bush will be there to show that the rest of the world is still interested in this peace process and to kick it along.

Both sides know that with stock markets everywhere in free fall it is hardly the time to spark an all-out trade war.

performance of great defiance and passion.

(Blair) looking to jumpstart the Middles East peace process.

Although he has reaffirmed his readiness to work with European leaders in the Balkans --

Quite a lot of agreement exists on the general principle of avoiding the over-production of food.

For him to lecture these applicant countries or these accepted members on their way in was really behavior like the worst of what the French complain about in the United States,

glassy smiles and gloss over time.

It has dominated the media, ... There is deep worry about the image of the British army and deep worry about the effect on Iraqi elections.

If the French vote 'no,' most analysts believe it would destroy any possibility of Chirac standing again for the presidency in 2007,

The fact that George Bush has come to Belfast to meet Tony Blair in this location ... is in a sense a mark of respect for Tony Blair, an attempt to show outside world -- because George Bush doesn't voyage outside the United States all that easily -- it's a sign that he takes him seriously and listens to his advice. It gives him some sort of political payback,

Standing shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. in the war against terrorism, Blair knows, he has made Britain a potential terrorist target too.

is going to cause controversy with the U.S.

Bush isn't going to follow the detail to the same extent (as Clinton), but he is helping to put his imprimatur on that process in an important week, when Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern put forward their latest proposals to revive the peace process,

The British and Irish remain hopeful all the same that some of the presidential stardust will rub off.

more Palestinian Authority, not less.

These situations are always incredibly difficult for prime ministers and government, but so far there's been no public outcry against Blair for refusing to deal with terrorists,

They will underline their readiness to keep more troops there if necessary, as well as their readiness to press ahead with a new U. N. resolution -- partly because that new U. N. resolution is the key to getting countries like France and Germany, who were opposed to the war in Iraq, much more involved in post-conflict operations,

His presence is a remainder to local politicians and paramilitaries embroiled in local rivalries and inherited disputes that there is a bigger world out there watching them and expecting them to lift their eyes to a distant horizon.

There is skepticism among unionists as the IRA is blamed for the huge Northern Bank robbery last year and the question they are asking is Will that money be used as pensions for old IRA fighters or to buy new arms,

Basically, he has to go back to the drawing board ... to have another go at it, ... It's not a crisis or a complete disaster. It's a mess and it's a humiliation.

After September 11 governments everywhere have had to plan what they would do in the event of a major civil emergency, especially the UK government,

The disagreements which undoubtedly exist... could not be eliminated today.

were very much trying to present themselves as reluctant warriors. They were very much reacting to demonstrations of public opinion.

Lawmakers say that if the Hutton inquiry finds the government guilty of sharp practice in helping the media identify Dr. Kelly, then the beleaguered Hoon may have to fall on his sword.

The whole chemistry of the relationship between Moscow and the West is really changing now,