"No, sir."

U.S. Defense Secretary nominee Robert Gates, answering Democratic Senator Carl Levin of Michigan when asked if the United States was winning in Iraq at his confirmation hearing on December 5

"Compromise inherently means stepping back by both sides. Both sides have to give up their positions and step back. If one of us is not prepared to step back, we will not reach a solution.''

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, saying his country is prepared to give up its claim to Kashmir if India reciprocates and approves self-governance for the Himalayan territory

"Those who are fully aware they are infected with the AIDS virus and deliberately infect others should be severely punished according to law."

An official with China's Ministry of Public Security, speaking on December 5

"Our fundamental view is the regulation should be withdrawn and reconsidered in its entirety after thorough consultation with exporters. And many of the goods embargoed by the regulation are readily available to China's military from alternative sources, both foreign and indigenous."

In a letter to the U.S. Commerce Department, a coalition of manufacturers, software companies and hi-tech industry groups urged the U.S. Government to scrap a proposal to tighten national security controls on exports to China

"I expect a massive reaction from the people, a peaceful reaction. I think sooner or later the military will have to come to its senses."

Fiji's Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, speaking in a telephone interview after he was deposed by a military coup, adding that the majority of people wanted a return to the "rule of law"