Quotes of the week from at home and abroad
America comes in peace, America comes as a partner, America comes to help people to put in place better systems of government that respect the rights of men and women. America never comes as a conqueror.
- The US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell.
Nothing at present justifies war.
- President Chirac of France.
Where are the French now, as Americans prepare to put their soldiers on the line to fight today's Hitler, Saddam Hussein? Talking appeasement. Wimping out. How can they have forgotten?
- Steve Dunleavy, a columnist at the New York Post, leading a tirade of anti-French vitriol in the US.
Free nations will not allow the United Nations to fade into history as an ineffective, irrelevant debating society.
- President Bush calling on the UN to back a military offensive in the Gulf.
It has always been my desire to play again for Ireland \ the unequivocal advice given to me by my doctors was that I should not return.
- Former Ireland captain Roy Keane.
The State did not want to put such a burden on the congregations which would put them out of business.
- The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, defending the controversial compensation package for institutional abuse victims which has been agreed with the religious orders.
My capabilities are something to be proud of, but they were used for a wrong purpose.
- Ali Imron, chief suspect in the Bali bombing, claiming responsibility on Indonesian television.
State-sponsored addiction.
- Methadone treatment programmes being dismissed as ill-judged and dangerous by Ms Attracta Canny, co-director of Hope House, the Mayo addiction treatment centre.
It's a real quality of life issue.
- Phil Reed, the New York councillor who sponsored a ban on the use of mobile phones during movies, plays and concerts. Offenders face a $50 fine.
The corrosive impact of paramilitarism on all sides has dented prospects and the expectations of ordinary people on the ground.
- The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, calling on the IRA to declare that its war is over.
The British government still sees a ceasefire IRA as the enemy and unionist violence or opposition to the \ agreement as in some way tolerable.
- The Sinn Féin president, Mr Gerry Adams.
I felt violated that something precious had been stolen from me. I felt devastated.
- Actress Catherine Zeta Jones suing Hello! magazine for publishing unauthorised photographs of her wedding.
Such an intrusion in the relationship between a public representative and a citizen would be quite improper.
- Mr Brendan Howlin, Labour TD, saying that deputies and senators should not be required to divulge sources.
Health apartheid is the only way I can describe this.
- Dr Jerry Crowley, the Mayo TD, saying that lack of breast cancer screening is costing lives.