This is the first global crisis that doesn't start in poor countries and it was caused by the rich countries. So it's necessary to take advantage of this crisis - the financial system has to be regulated. It's necessary that the central banks in the world should control a little bit the banks' financing, because they cannot bypass a certain range of leverage. And I believe that there's no other - more any reason for a G-8 group or any other "G." I believe that we should guarantee that the G-20 should be now an important forum to discuss the major economic issues of the world.

A long time ago I learned not to put the blame for backwardness in Brazil on the US. We have to blame ourselves. Our backwardness is caused by an elite which for a century didn't think about the majority and subordinated itself to foreign interests.

I don't need arms, and neither does anyone else... At the very least, a ban would prevent fights from turning deadly.

The true path to peace is shared development. If we do not want war to go global, justice must go global

I respect the path Cuba chooses to take.

Hunger is actually the worst weapon of mass destruction. It claims millions of victims each year.

My greatest desire is that the hope that has overcome fear in my country will help vanquish it around the world.