Joschka Fischer Quotations

The situation in Iraq is dangerous but the regional situation is also very complicated and precarious.

We are ready to train new Iraqi forces outside Iraq. We did it in Abu Dhabi.

I don't believe, in the 21st century, in the balance of power system. This is a European idea of the 19th and 20th centuries.

We have every interest in seeing that the military use of nuclear power will be contained.

A transitional government is the beginning of a transfer of sovereignty. It's a question of Iraqi security and moving forward with the political process.

The United States is our most important ally. They helped us many times. Without the United States, the unification or German democratisation after the Nazi period would have been much more complicated, or almost impossible.

We shouldn't discuss the world of tomorrow in terms of becoming a balance to the United States. The real issue is whether the United States will define herself as part of the U.N. system-or not.

We have an interest in excellent relations because we are neighbours as Europeans with Russia. We are allies with the United States in the NATO framework.

India has been contributing very much to the reconstruction of Afghanistan; we are strongly engaged there.

What will we do in a globalised world? All human beings are equal, so they have the same right to have the same lifestyle-the same social security, jobs, education.

There are differences in the world community. But we have a common interest in a strong multilateral system.

We had to move forward after the war and see the realities.

We will not send troops. Germany is not committed to Iraq - we will not commit ourselves with troops.

You must see the persons who are in charge-persons you can punish or vote for.

The participation in European elections was always not very exciting. People are very interested in European issues, but they don't see the person who is representing Europe.

We were in opposition to the decision to go to war. But after the war happened, it was clear that you could not sit and look-there would be a breeding ground for terrorism or a new collapsed or failed state named Iraq!

We have to go back to normal business with our most important ally, the United States, and with France -- the most important outside of Europe and the most important ally inside,

We were horrified by the news of the bomb attack in Madrid this morning. This detestable act of terror that claimed so many victims fills us with deep sorrow and outrage.

When I heard that yesterday, I was very diplomatic and didn't pull a face. But in my head you could imagine what I was seeing: I saw people sitting around in dreadlocks with joints in their hands, and reggae music playing in the background.

Loyalty to allies is an important and central issue in German foreign policy but reason must always take priority,

Now you have to shoulder your responsibility to pave the way for a peaceful political future for your nation - a way which reflects your society's diversity and traditions and which will be acceptable to all Afghans. It is up to you the representatives of the Afghan people to seize this historic moment, ... Germany, the EU (European Union) and the international community led by the United Nations stand ready to help now and in long term.

Nobody can keep control of a military escalation. We have to do everything we can with diplomatic means to prevent this,

For me, the constitution is the most important treaty since the foundation of the European Economic Community (in 1957).

For me this is the end of a period of my life lasting 20 years, and a new beginning.

There is an ongoing debate about the reform of the U.N. system.

I think Iran should really bear in mind that this step is a step in the wrong direction, ... We are trying to prevent a negative trend with fatal consequences.

It is not only because of the incidents with the Swiss, Swedish, and Spanish embassies. There is an urgent need for discussions,

It is intended to be an addition to NATO and not a competitor,

It is a very dangerous situation, but at the same time a situation where we have to try to find the way to peace,

It is a tragic, tragic situation, for the father and the whole family,

It is deeply regrettable ... that these strikes could not be avoided,

Me? Joining a coalition under Merkel? Look, Merkel will not be chancellor.

We need a lot of civilian monitors but they must be protected,

the pressure of relationships makes this reform necessary.

We know many people wanted this constellation. We had a good result. We have to be modest in victory.

Today we have agreed on these principles. Much is left to do, ... There are differences of opinion on whether to stop the bombings.

We are ready day and night, 24 hours, seven days a week, when there is a need, we will be there and the door will be open and everything will be tried,

We shouldn't act in way that, at the end, terrorist groups will be strengthened and not weakened, because they want to drive us into a war of the civilizations, ... We should react in a wise way based on a multilateral approach and based on the coalition in the war against terror.

There is a big question as to whether this consequence has been thought through and discussed in the U.S.

Why should we now halt the inspections? On the contrary, the inspectors must be given the time they need to successfully complete their tasks.

To those who say the results of this election are already definite, I say: Look at the number of undecided,

We need to get out of the sleeping car and climb into the locomotive again,

We will propose that a package of immediate assistance is brought together,

those under 40 to write the next chapter in the history of the Greens.

We cannot take a time-out when it comes to our security,

Violence was a mixture of ideology (and) macho status...,

Today's session dealt exhaustively with all the questions, ... I would just like to know one thing: Who was it?

We are very thankful to the Libyan side for all that was done.

We are still far away from a solution; the rifts are still wide and deep,

Cool down, ... We are good friends and allies.

The share of the vote that the ultra-right received is alarming, ... It's too early to tell. We have to wait to see the results of the runoff election.

balanced the interests of both large and small member states.

That's what we are trying to do within the context of the international community.

It's a historic step Europe has won today. It's a big chance for both sides,

It should make the alliance more balanced and thereby also stronger.

That is a very good basis on which we aim for consensus,

never serve in a coalition led by Merkel.

This is, I think, a very serious challenge and unity of the international community is crucial to move forward in a positive direction.

I want to make way for a younger generation, ... I will no longer hold any post in the party's parliamentary group.

not to use force to try to free the hostages.

a part of my life, 20 years long, is ending.

in the strongest possible terms the despicable attacks in Bali.

Can you imagine Angela Merkel with dreadlocks? ... She will not be chancellor.

I didn't even know the term 'Jamaica coalition' existed,

Germany is going to vote for the resolution. It is important now to stick to the schedule that is to lead to free and fair elections by January 2005 at the latest.

If (entry talks) are broken off and the shards are lying on the floor, then it will become damn costly for us,

If further relevant information is made available to the U.N. inspectors, as has been announced, then that should be welcomed because it can only promote their work,

I can't tell people that I'm fighting to defend our policies, that we don't want policies (that cause) social coldness and ecological regression and later do something entirely different,

A just and long term Middle East peace can only be reached through a cessation of the spiral of violence, moderation from all sides and a return to the negotiating table,

You want to be chancellor but you don't have a cool head,

I never use the concept, multipolar. I use multilateral. Because we have only one global power: whether you like it or not, this is the United States.

There is an ongoing debate about the reform of the U.N. system.

Everybody is talking today about the economy.

Solutions must be based on compromises.

The EU is on the brink of becoming a European Federation by the year 2010... I feel sure that Britain will fall in line.

We already have a federation. The 11, soon to be 12, member States adopting the euro have already given up part of their sovereignty, monetary sovereignty, and formed a monetary union, and that is the first step towards a federation.

An enlarged Union based on Nice is not in the interest of any Member State ... This is not a threat. This is a messenger delivering news.

Let's forget the reunification, let's just shut up and don't talk about that topic for the next 20 years.

Transforming the European Union into a single State with one army, one constitution and one foreign policy is the critical challenge of the age

Germany is to be contained from outside and heterogenized from the inside by influx, 'diluted' so to speak.

Taking stock of 'Operation Iraqi Freedom' a decade later, the Financial Times concluded that the US won the war, Iran won the peace, and Turkey won the contracts. I can only agree.