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"We're not causing difficulties for anyone."
DONALD RUMSFELD, U.S. Defense Secretary, responding to claims that U.S. policies in Iraq are politically problematic for its allies, during a visit to Singapore last week

"It is very gratifying that this plant has abided by the principle of profitability... intensifying the ideological education among producers to thoroughly ensure profitability."
KIM JONG IL, leader of communist North Korea, hailing the productivity of a machine-tool factory, as reported by the state-run Korea Central News Agency

"If you look back on the '60s and think there was more good than harm, you're probably a Democrat. If you think there was more harm than good, you're probably a Republican."
BILL CLINTON, former U.S. President, noting the difference between American political parties, while kicking off a book tour for his new autobiography, My Life

"I am retiring from retirement."
NELSON MANDELA, closing the curtain on his very active public life, five years after officially retiring from his formal post as South Africa's President

"I can't imagine not living in Indonesia. My life is here."
SIDNEY JONES, Jakarta-based human-rights analyst, after her work visa was not renewed by Indonesian authorities, who have strongly criticized her probing reports on the country