'I think all foreigners should stop interfering in the internal affairs of Iraq. Those who want to come and help are welcome. Those who come to interfere and destroy are not.'(2003)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker distinguishes between helpful foreign intervention and destructive interference in Iraq's internal affairs.
- In plain terms
- Help is welcome but destructive interference is not accepted.
- What can you take from it?
- Foreign involvement must respect sovereignty to be accepted.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When does help become harm?
- Who decides national interests?
Another view
Definitions of interference and help are often contested.
More from Paul Wolfowitz
'I can't imagine anyone here wanting to spend another $30 billion to be there for another 12 years.'
Permalink to quote #4 '...the importance of leadership and what it consists of: not lecturing and posturing and demanding, but demonstrating that your friends will be protected and …
Permalink to quote #6 'I think one has to say it's not just simply a matter of capturing people and holding them accountable, but removing the sanctuaries, removing the support syst…
Permalink to quote #3
Related quotes
Those who try to give us advice on matters of human rights do nothing but provoke an ironic smile among us. We will not permit anyone to interfere in our affai…
Konstantin ChernenkoKonstantin Chernenko quote #1 'If goods cannot cross borders, armies will.'
Cordell HullCordell Hull quote #2 We must recognize that there is no indication that Saddam Hussein has any intention of relenting. So we have an obligation of enormous consequence, an obligati…
John KerryJohn Kerry quote #4