The most stupid mistake a counter-insurgency operation can make is alienating the population. If you alienate the population, you're finished.

The most stupid mistake a counter-insurgency operation can make is alienating the population. If you alienate the population, you're finished.

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.

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

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.

The EU report speaks for itself. The statement in my view shows that the mission has turned out to be something worse than a farce, ... We shall in the coming days and weeks see what we can do to expose the pack of lies and innuendoes that characterise the garbage in this report.

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.