On the bright side
"There are no specific allegations against me of either corruption or illegality and I look forward to carrying on with the job." — Terry Metherell after the announcement of an Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry into how he got his new job.
Comfort
"The idea is for tourists to feel comfortable in Rio so they will return after the Earth Summit." — Brazilian Eco-Radio organiser Klaus Huber on a proposed radio announcement by great train robber Ronnie Biggs warning tourists of crime in Rio.
Significant
"Australia regards President Suharto's New Order government as one of the most significant and beneficial events in its strategic history." — Paul Keating during his visit to Jakarta, on the government that came to power in 1965 amid a bloodbath that cost 500,000 to a million lives.
Good news
"A 10 to 20% loss — which is what we have seen over Europe — is now seen as good news. I don't see why a 10 to 20% loss is good news." — Neil Harris, a scientist with the European Arctic Stratospheric Ozone Experiment on the fact that the northern ozone layer was not depleted by the expected 30-40% during winter.
Fine distinction
"What difference is there between spare parts for, say, garbage dump trucks or farm machinery, which are authorised by the UN, and lorry parts? If lorries can no longer run, how can food and medicine be delivered?" — A Jordanian trader on the UN blockade of Iraq.
Problem
"It takes two to tango. We did not discuss the problem." — UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, asked whether he raised the question of human rights during a recent visit to China.
Fish
"I knew there were big problems when we got reports of fish in basements." — Chicago police superintendent Matt Rodriguez after part of the Chicago River bed collapsed into a 96 km disused tunnel network, flooding the lower levels of about 21 central city blocks.
Inhuman development
"... the real causes of poverty and human deprivation [in the Third World] lie deep in the national policy actions of the developing countries ... one of the great lessons of recent decades is that competitive markets are the best guarantee for human Report published by the UN Development Program.