Every silver lining has its cloud

“... today's historic ceasefire [in northern Ireland] ... could bring a new form of trouble to the province -- economic slump.” -- Financial Review, September 1.

That settles it

“For the last 15 years, every Australian foreign minister has recognised Indonesia's sovereignty over East Timor.” -- Former PM Gough Whitlam in a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Mote master

“Australians who wish to advance human rights in Dili will not do so by abusing Indonesia in the media. The Australian Government is setting an example to all our neighbouring countries by taking the beams and motes out of our own eyes through the adoption of best international practice.” -- Whitlam, waxing incoherently poetic.

Information back lane

“At this time there is no information available from our Network Department on [Cambodia]. We still consider them a hostile country ...” -- Letter from a customer service rep of the US database service CompuServe.

Bad air

“It's unfair to judge men on errors which can be explained by the atmosphere of the period.” -- French President and Socialist Party founder Francois Mitterrand, on his own prewar friendship with extreme right-wing politicians and his work in the Vichy regime's civil service.

Better late than never

“The ACTU and its instrument of empowerment, the Accord, must now go under scrutiny.” -- Transport Workers Union NSW secretary Steve Hutchins, announcing plans for the federal TWU to review its support for the Accord.

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