Unless they can immediately demonstrate a credible fear of persecution, why shouldn't these people be returned at once to the country from which they embarked - whether it be their home country or a stopover point - at the expense of the airline that brought them? All appeals would then be made from the country to which they have been returned.

When I came in, the city was on the edge of bankruptcy. I'm proud of what I did. I built the foundation that mayors after me built upon - particularly Bloomberg. But the foundation was essential because if it hadn't occurred, we would have been another Detroit.

[The UN should remain in New York] because every country needs a cesspool. And the UN is always interesting as a theater of the absurd.

The person who is bent on killing you will follow you wherever you are.

We're in the hands of the state legislature and God, but at the moment, the state legislature has more to say than God.

Deals are my art form. Other people paint beautifully on canvas or write wonderful poetry. I like making deals, preferably big deals. That's how I get my kicks.

I probably have another two or three years. Or I can pass tomorrow, but it doesn't make a difference to me.