Diplomatic Communication Quotes

The most important publication of WikiLeaks is that it has published more than 10 million documents. The most important single collection of material we have published is the US diplomatic cable series. We started with 251,000 in 2011, but are up to 3 million now and have more coming.

Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions.

A back channel is a means of communications between two heads of state without going through their respective bureaucracies thus preventing resistance and leaks.

What we (U.S.) have done, is undertaken diplomacy through public assertions that tend to alienate everyone.

Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy.

Hitler didn't snub me - it was our president who snubbed me. The president didn't even send me a telegram.

A candidate must be like a chameleon, adapting to each person he meets, changing his expression and speech as necessary…. Tell the Senate that you will maintain their traditional powers and privileges. Let the business community and the wealthy citizens know that you are for stability and peace. Assure the common people that you have always been on their side.

How do you politely explain to someone that you had believed for years he was a moron as well as a Fool?

I would have oriented myself in case of Donald Trump according to what former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder said to then - U.S. President George W. Bush when the Americans launched a war that was in violation of international law. Schröder showed that a German chancellor can act in a clear and self-confident manner toward a U.S. president.

It is an ambassador's duty to stand up for his nation's foreign policy in any era and under any government whatsoever. Ambassadors are, in the full meaning of the term, titled spies.

Nixon urged Clinton to maintain his relationship with Yeltsin but make contact with other democrats in Russia. He warned Clinton away from some ultranationalists and toward those interested in liberty and reform. He pressed Clinton to replace his ambassador in Kiev and concentrate future U.S. economic aid on Ukraine, where it would matter most.

If people had gavels, there would be no wars. If every person in the world had a gavel and could bang it and get everyone's attention right away and make their displeasure known, I believe the level of actual violence in the world would just disappear to practically nothing.

I sing My Way, I say this to the whole country, "Well, the President of Estonia sent me a message." He heard about it because of what's happening in Russia right now and the power grab that [Vladimir] Putin has.

No, [the U.S.] has made it clear that we consider a peaceful resolution an essential aspect of American foreign policy. This I believe to be a situation understood by China, but again, it is important to not sound too truculent. Taking on a billion-plus Chinese is not an enterprise which one should enter lightly.

Hillary's explanation of the Libyan action to Congress was so good, I wonder who explained it to her?

A sparing tongue is the greatest treasure among men.

You are so tactful that I have no idea what you want.

I must have dialogue with the Chinese government, and dialogue requires compromise. Therefore, I'm speaking for genuine self-rule, not for independence.

If I write in my name to the agents of England and France residing in Asia and inform them that Japan is ready to make a commercial treaty with their countries, the number of steamers will be reduced from fifty to two or three.

E? loquence quipersuade par douceur, non par empire, en tyran, non en roi. Eloquence should persuade gently, not by force or like a tyrant or king.

I confirmed to the prime minister that we appreciate our friendship.

Diplomacy is the art of telling plain truths without giving offense.

Would you phone the president of Ghana?

There is always a chance [for negotiations with Japan], or else it makes no sense to talk. How great is it? Right now, it is difficult for me to say, because this will depend, among other things, on the flexibility of our partners.

The media has become a major player in the conduct of diplomacy.