"[Interrogations at the secret prisons have] given us information that has saved innocent lives by helping us stop new attacks---here in the United States and across the world.''

President George W. Bush confirmed for the first time the United States held some detainees captured overseas at covert jails run by the Central Intelligence Agency. The 14 such prisoners still in custody have been transferred to the military detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

"China's agricultural industry would not be able to cope if its farm produce market is thrown open over a short period of time. Countries participating in the Doha Round talks have to consider the realities new WTO members like China face."

Du Qinglin, Chinese Minister of Agriculture, told visiting Director General of the World Trade Organization, Pascal Lamy

"Royal succession affects the base of our nation, and it is extremely important that we create a system that ensures stable succession. Thegovernment wants to workcarefully and calmly so that we can gain consensus from all parts of the public." 

Shinzo Abe, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary, expressed his caution about sudden changes to succession rules before Princess Kiko, wife of Prince Akishino, gave birth to the first male to Japan's imperial family on September 6

"I do not recognize someone who tries to act as the chief federal executive without having a legitimate and democratic representation...To hell with their institutions."

Lopez Obrador, Mexican presidential candidate, said after the electoral court named his contender Felipe Calderon as the country's next president on September 5

"China has implemented reforms to speed up business registration and trading, ease access to credit, and improve protection of investors, making it the top reformer in the region and the fourth best worldwide."

Comments by World Bank and subsidiary International Finance Corp. in their annual report Doing Business 2007: How to Reform