Ta-Nehisi Coates Quotes

A critical part of our relationship with Laos involves addressing the legacy of war.

Peace cannot come without the engagement of those who have been before. Gen. Dostum will make peace possible. He was engaged in conflict of the past. Forgiveness is an extremely important part of our culture. But, like Rwanda and South Africa, we need to fashion our own solution.

In 1994, when I went back to Haiti from exile, we established a Commission for Truth and Justice and Reconciliation. I passed the documents to the next government, and I never heard about it again.

A more stable relationship between Poland and Russia based on reconciliation might revive the reunification of Europe.

The need for peace in Northern Ireland goes well beyond political stability. It now speaks to regional Europe and even global stability.

All that a truth commission can achieve is to reduce the number of lies that can be circulated unchallenged in public discourse.

The problem after a war is the victor. He thinks he has just proved that war and violence will pay. Who will now teach him a lesson?

Truth commissions also allow perpetrators to be reintegrated into society and not go back into the bush to pick up their guns again.

Sometimes our partners from other countries ask us why we have not got further with our reconciliation, as if we possess a magic to just get rid of this tragic history of ours.

We must remain committed to rebuilding communities ravaged by genocide. Survivors deserve a safe and secure pathway home or safe passage elsewhere.

I have interviewed Hugo Chavez, Tim McVeigh, and hundreds of fascinating characters in South America, where I have lived for the past 15 years.

I knew that there had been times in the past-terrible times-when people had destroyed others in haste,in fear, and had brought about their own destruction

The message of reconciliation, of nation-building, of granting amnesty, indemnity, has struck a powerful, favorable chord. And people can understand that we're here not for purposes of retribution but to forget the past and to build our country.

The fact that I have always been deeply invested in politics, and African politics in particular, inevitably played a role in my first novel and, of course, in my decision to write about a handful of particular conflicts in Africa as a journalist.

It's hard for me to think about this, but I first went to Southeast Asia as a Marine more than 40 years ago, as a young Marine. I was on Okinawa and then in Vietnam. I've returned in many different hats, which I think has helped me to form my own views about policy out there. I've spent a good bit of time in this region as a journalist.

The participants in any conflict cannot tell the entire story until some time after that conflict is fully resolved.

We cannot get stuck in a cycle of violence which cannot be broken.

I cannot bear to see my innocent people suffer any longer. Ending the war is the only way to restore world peace and to relieve the nation from the terrible distress with which it is burdened.

Six years ago today war was declared. Now we are starting again with officially declared peace the world in physical and spiritual chaos. History in the making can be most exhausting.

Half of all civil wars are post conflict relapses.

I feel gratified at the signing of this Franco-German declaration, which, by solemnly recognizing the existing frontiers, puts an end to a long historical contest and opens the way to a collaboration which is made easier by the conviction that no difference which might endanger the peaceful basis of their relations now exists between the two countries.

Let politicians deal with politics. I will put effort into enhancing the dialogue between the Turkish and Armenian peoples.

I want to set up a warm and fruitful dialogue. I see that there is no trust between upper level politicians of Turkey and Armenia, but there is trust between the people. People of both countries come together frequently anyways.

I regret and grieve over the late troubles. It was a grave mistake, and China will hereafter be a friend of foreigners. No such affair will happen again. China will protect the foreigner, and we hope to be friends in the future.

I travelled to Germany to witness for myself what nationalism, populism and the breakdown of peace between the great European nations had done. Amidst the rubble I made great friends who have remained friends for the rest of our lives.