But on second thought, after I decreed the state of emergency, I came to the conclusion that that was impossible to achieve without bloodshed because the street protesters were full of anger and nearly out of control. This is why I thought we needed to find another way out.

We also have a real opportunity to join NATO.

It is absolutely impossible to settle the debts to pensioners, teachers, and others. The country hasn't got enough money to do so.

But eradicating corruption is not enough to sustain a country.

Even the pyramids might one day disappear, but not the Palestinians longing for their homeland.

In my life I have always found ways of dealing with a situation.

I was a member of the Politburo for seven years, a foreign minister.