Just quietly
"Between ourselves, shouldn't the World Bank promote the transfer of polluting industries to the less developed countries?" — Remark attributed to World Bank president Lawrence Summers in a recent internal report.
What it's supposed to do
"The court system has worked and what's needed now is calm and respect for law." — US President George Bush as Los Angeles burned after the all-white jury's acquittal of police who savagely beat black motorist Rodney King, arrested for speeding.
Dangerous
"He was obviously a dangerous person, massive size and threatening actions ... Mr King was controlling the whole show with his actions." — A juror in the Rodney King case.
Dunno
"The major uncertainty concerns the timing of the upturn and how quickly it leads to rising employment. It is difficult to assess private sector behaviour in the face of rapid disinflation and rising unemployment." — From the latest OECD report on the Australian economy.
Level playing field
The government needs "to start looking at why this country is bleeding to death. There is no level playing field. If we become a nett importer of food, then we're really down the chute." — Norm Palazzi, former Edgell employee on last week's closure of the firm's Cowra food cannery by the New Right-managed parent company, Pacific Dunlop.
Real khaki election
"The island has already declared its independence two years ago and there is no going back to PNG." — Joseph Kabui, chairperson of the interim government of Bougainville, on Papua New Guinea prime minister Rabbie Namaliu's announcement that he would use troops to ensure that Bougainville participates in national elections.
Property rights
"We want to eliminate the role of union officials and deal directly with our employees. Our corporate survival is between us and our employees." — Chris Oldfield, public affairs manager for Associated Pulp and Paper Mills.