Personally, Mr. Blix is amiable and has a sense of humor; politically he is weak and easily fooled. I can think of few European officials less suitable for a showdown with Saddam. Indeed, it is with utter disbelief that I watch television news about Mr. Blix's negotiations with the Iraqi dictator's henchmen. [...] Regardless of how this crisis develops from this point, the United Nations has neglected its duties by asking a wimp to lead the inspectors who are supposed to stand up to the brute of Baghdad.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A harsh critique arguing that Blix lacks the political strength to confront a dictator effectively.
- In plain terms
- Blix is too weak to handle a tough situation like this.
- What can you take from it?
- Diplomatic strength is crucial when negotiating with authoritarian leaders.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes a good negotiator?
- Is aggression better than diplomacy?
Another view
Aggressive confrontation may not always be the best diplomatic strategy.
More from Hans Blix
There was a very consistent creation of a virtual reality, and eventually it collided with our old-fashioned, ordinary reality.
Permalink to quote #7 'He's as reliable as a Volvo.' Colin Powell
Permalink to quote #9 But in the Middle Ages people were convinced there were witches. They looked for them and they certainly found them.
Permalink to quote #6
Related quotes
The real terrorist threats are George W. Bush and his band of brown-shirted thugs.
Sandra BernhardSandra Bernhard quote #3 All those [management] people are hypocrites and idiots.
Carl EverettCarl Everett quote #3 Savoir dissimuler est le savoir des rois.
Cardinal RichelieuCardinal Richelieu quote #3