Jose Ramos-Horta Quotes

I'm not an agent from any government, even if some of you may not believe it. I'm not. I'm a peacemaker.

You have to be seen as at least a semi-honest broker, The lawyer for the Israelis is not going to very credible in dealing with the issues of the Palestinians.

In addition to impartiality and honesty, people engaged in good offices must have the gift of good timing and a flawless sense of balance.

We send our peacekeepers off to some disputed zone, full of local intrigue and power blocs and uncertainty and danger, and they are supposed to save lives not with their weapons, but through their competence and their character. And they do it.

I have just been the man in the middle, trying to make sure that we steer the right course.

We had the courage to face the superpowers that wanted a military triumph for each side they supported in Central America. We told them, 'No,' and presented a peace plan.

I have no superhuman powers. If people don't want to make peace, there is nothing I can do.

Treaties, agreements and organizations to help settle disputes may be necessary, but they often favor the interests of business over citizens.

To attempt to superimpose its views through the exercise of force, is seldom the part of intelligence; it is frequently the part of ignorance.

There never was a time when, in my opinion, some way could not be found to prevent the drawing of the sword.

Very few conflicts in the history of the world have been satisfactorily concluded according to a published timetable, because you lose all flexibility in dealing with your opponents.

I think placing preconditions before negotiations is the quickest way to undermine peace.

Both President Obama and I shared the conviction that territorial and maritime disputes in the Asia Pacific region should be settled peacefully based on international law. We affirm that arbitration is an open, friendly and peaceful approach to seeking a just and durable solution.

I am certain that we need a solution completely separate from military intervention.

War should never be entered upon until every agency of peace has failed.

I think most conflicts do end with negotiated settlements; some don't, but most do.

I won't undertake war until I have tried all the arts and means of peace.

Most of the international community, most of the countries around the world, don't want any side, any party to take unilateral steps. They would like that all of us to stick to the road map.

Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. As a peacemaker the lawyer has superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough.

We're not going to baby sit a civil war.

To resolve problems through negotiation is a very childish approach.

Sanctions and negotiations can be very ineffective, and indeed foolish, unless the people you are talking with and negotiating with and trying to reach agreements with are people who can be trusted to keep their word.

Let them fight it out, friend! Things have gone too far.

It is our duty to persuade the nations of the world, in whatever way that we can, to settle their differences in some other way. (Other than war)

Only negotiations can resolve long standing grievances.