As a person, I have never been discourteous or nasty to anybody. I may have stood my ground a bit too directly, a bit too firmly, and I believe I have, over a number of years, learned to be a little less direct.

Africa's downfall has always been the cult of the personality. And their names always seem to begin with M. We've had Mobutu and Mengistu and I'm not going to add Meles to the list.

Spending one hour with Isaias is far more worthwhile, rewarding and enlightening than reading ten books

I know more now than I did in the past about the process of democratization. I know more about the pitfalls.

As we respond to the assault of our enemy and defend our country, we must never break international laws. Crime can not be solved by more crime.

If it is presumed that the Kenyans will democratise in order to eat the peanuts of development assistance from the European Union... it would be a big mistake.

It's true we have our disagreements on border issues, we have disagreements on trade and related issues, but you don't go invading a country whenever you have a dispute on trade issues, ... We have more civilized mechanisms on resolving such problems.