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I worry about a democracy having nuclear weapons as much as a dictatorship having nuclear weapons.

Mohamed ElBaradei

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Mohamed ElBaradei
Age: 82
Born: 1942
Born: June 17
Diplomat
Human Rights Activist
Jurist
Politician
Cairo
Egypt
Mohamed Mustafa ElBaradei
Dictatorship
Nuclear
Weapons
Worry
Democracy
Much

More quotes by Mohamed ElBaradei

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The Egyptians have grown in confidence, theyve tasted freedom, and theres no way back.
Mohamed ElBaradei
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I think it is fair to say that it is under a great deal of stress, and if I am asking for significant changes, it is because the world is going through significant changes.
Mohamed ElBaradei
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Egypt is indeed deeply divided. Without reconciliation we have no future. The Muslim Brotherhood is an important part of our society. I very much hope that it will participate in the next round of talks. I will be the first to protest if the imperative of fairness isn't adhered to.
Mohamed ElBaradei
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You either have a civil society or you dont.
Mohamed ElBaradei
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Discipline is part of my professional training as a lawyer.
Mohamed ElBaradei
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It would be, in fact, very ominous if Iraq were to be able to get weapon-usable material, hydro-plutonium or highly enriched uranium from abroad.
Mohamed ElBaradei
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Libya is a good example of a country that has come to a realization that weapons of mass destruction threaten more than assure, and I hope that will be followed by others.
Mohamed ElBaradei
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I still believe that any country understands that if they use nuclear weapons, they will be wiped out of existence. They could be irrational in many ways, but I don't think they're irrational to the point that they're ready to annihilate their own country.
Mohamed ElBaradei
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Whether we report Iran to the council or not, I believe the only way forward is through diplomacy.
Mohamed ElBaradei
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Egypt under Hosni Mubarak had deteriorated to the status of a failed state. We must wipe the slate clean and start again.
Mohamed ElBaradei
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Music gives me a lot of peace, either classic music with its structure or the spontaneity of Miles Davis. It brings the best in you.
Mohamed ElBaradei
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The sooner we put Egypt on the right track, the sooner we would be able to have an Egypt that is modern, that is moderate, and that is acting as a beacon for freedom and liberty across the Arab world.
Mohamed ElBaradei
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If we are addressing the issue of weapons of mass destruction, we need to send a uniform, consistent message that there is zero tolerance to any country who is developing weapons of mass destruction, North Korea included.
Mohamed ElBaradei
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Well, first of all, we now have everybody with the exception of India, Pakistan, and Israel, and I dont think these three countries are going to join by simply providing them an incentive, in terms of technology.
Mohamed ElBaradei
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The simple fact is that there is a limited amount of water on the planet, and we cannot afford to be negligent in its use. We cannot keep treating it as if it will never run out.
Mohamed ElBaradei
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People talk about smart sanctions and crippling sanctions. Ive never seen smart sanctions, and crippling sanctions cripple everyone, including innocent civilians, and make the government more popular.
Mohamed ElBaradei
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Democracy is not an instant coffee.
Mohamed ElBaradei
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I grew up in a conservative household. That was the life of the time in Egypt: a conservative, middle-class household.
Mohamed ElBaradei
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In my view, stability only comes with a government that is elected by the people and works for the people.
Mohamed ElBaradei
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I have a lot of interests in global issues, as you know, humanity, inequity, arms control, and I continue to be active on all these issues.
Mohamed ElBaradei