"It is unacceptable for either supplier or transit countries to take measures that impact on partner countries without consultation."

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, criticizing an oil transit row between Russia and Belarus that has disrupted supplies to the EU

"Our policy is of reconciliation. Our doors are open and we shall welcome all Somali parties into the national administration."

Somali Government Spokesman Abdirahman Dinari, saying that the government was ready to accommodate some Islamists

"In the Orinoco region ... international companies control and dominate the refining processes of heavy crude. That has to be passed on to Venezuelans."

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, calling for a legislation giving him the power to nationalize the oil-rich country's power

and telephone sectors

"We hope whatever changes that have taken place in the structure of the Japanese Government could continue to develop along the path of peaceful development."

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao, commenting on the upgrade of the Japanese Defense Agency to a full ministry

"Every once in a while a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything."

Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs, announcing the company's long-awaited leap into the mobile phone business by unveiling the multimedia iPhone on January 9

"People are eating more, but unfortunately they're not eating better."

Henk Bekedam, World Health Organization's Chief China Representative in Beijing, warning that the number of obese people in China tripled to 90 million, as the economy grew sevenfold from 1992 to 2006