Neither the deployment of carrier strike groups worldwide nor this NDU (National Defense University) tabletop exercise should be seen as sending a signal to any specific country.

Participants examined the gravity, complexity and difficulty inherent in responding to a sequence of escalating tensions between China and Taiwan.

The exercise sought to understand the full range of policy options and associated consequences available to the U.S. to restore stability to the Taiwan Straits and surrounding region, while avoiding nuclear confrontation with China.

Pentagon spokesman Navy Lt. Cmdr. Flex Plexico*

It's disappointing to see a decision that sends the wrong signal to terrorists... You cannot negotiate with terrorists or make a separate peace with terrorists. And we understand that they have made the decision to withdraw their 51 troops ahead of schedule.

by White House spokesman Scott McClellan*

This kind of action cannot be allowed to succeed anywhere in the 21st century, above all not Iraq... In these difficult times we have to remain steadfast.

Secretary of State Colin Powell*
said in a speech at the US Institute of Peace

The President [Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo] is trying to respond because there is instability... if she had a clear mandate, she would say, 'The people elected me because they believed in my [anti terror] agenda and, therefore, I should not face the terrorists anymore.' And she would not have made [the decision to pull out the troops].

If Angelo de la Cruz is beheaded despite the pullout of the Filipino troops, it would be a case of the President doing too little, too late...

You have a case that really galvanized the nation. She has a weak mandate. If she wanted to transform this issue into a confidence-building measure and strengthen her mandate, she should have done the popular thing even if she didn't believe in it.

said by Ibon research director Antonio Tujan Jr.*
in a news conference

This is the time of a severe test to your country... we are allies... we are here for you. In a time of crisis, it’s up to us as your allies to help you to be strong, to encourage you.

In a time where enemies demand that you kneel, and (I) just ask you, please don’t confuse your enemies with your friends.

US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone*

It is always counterproductive to give in to terrorist threats because even though in the short term the result may be the release of a particular hostage, the terrorists can always take more hostages.

by Rand Corp. senior policy analyst Angel Rabasa*

The [news blackout] situation stays the same. We would like to ask for your understanding in this regard. We know the life of our countryman Angelo is at stake and we do not wish to make any wrong signals that could jeopardize his safety.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye*
at a media briefing in Malacañang

You do not own, and you are not the arbiters of, African-American authenticity.

by U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige
NAACP fight with GOP boils hotter."

Thank you for that wonderful introduction. I understand that you've been having trouble getting some speakers.

Seriously, thank you for the invitation. Some people may have better things to do, but there's no place I'd rather be right now than right here in Philadelphia with the NAACP.

As a campaigner, I know a little something about scheduling conflicts and hostile environments. But when you're president of the United States, you can pretty much say where you want to be. And when you're president, you need to talk to all the people -- and that's exactly what I intend to do. I will be a president who truly is a uniter, not one who seeks to divide our nation by race, riches or any other label. You know, the president may be too busy to speak to you now, but I assure you, he'll have plenty of free time after November 2nd.

by Senator John F. Kerry
Text of Remarks by John Kerry to NAACP Convention

We'll conduct a search to see if we can find some Commonwealth (Federal Australian) land either onshore or offshore and we'll put the Commonwealth low-level waste there.

If they want to play sovereign state politics, not-in-my-state politics, okay, they can do that, but they will have to look after their own waste.

Prime Minister John Howard*
on sending Australia's low-level nuclear waste to an offshore island

The very idea of storing nuclear waste on a Pacific atoll or in a country like Nauru is dangerously ridiculous and ought be condemned.

by shadow industry minister Senator Kim Carr*

Someone suggested that a man of the choice of the bishops, somebody of our trust, should be included and appointed by the President to be in that bids and awards committee... the one committee that decides on the contracts, because that's where corruption starts.

CBCP president Archbishop Fernando Capalla*
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)

We welcome the request of the CBCP to be part of the bidding process... It is our poIicy to invoIve, engage and empower aII sectors in the anti-corruption campaign.

Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio Bunye*

We made contact with the militants three hours before the deadline [on Saturday]... I was with Sheikh Maher when he talked with the militants. We got the extension right there and then. They talked about a lot of things. But [the militants’] only concern was for the Filipinos to pullout from [Iraq] and that they would be out before August 20.

by Lebanese businessman Joseph Bechara*

Through your support and unity, we could resolve and settle this problem with dignity as a nation... What is important now is the safety of Angelo.

Philippine Vice President Noli de Castro*

There's no risk of execution of Angelo de la Cruz.

RP special envoy to the Middle East Roy Cimatu*
told ABS-CBN television in Baghdad

They are still there.

Maj. Honario Aguila told Reuters*

To immediately bring back the Philippine contingent from Iraq will be a concrete manifestation of official concern over the life of Angelo de la Cruz, a driver captured by militant elements of the Iraqi Islamic Army, as well as show proof of non-neglect of the safety of millions of Filipino OFWs.

The US will always be an important ally of the Philippines. But even the US has handed over sovereignty to Iraq, the strongest indicator that the war in Iraq is considered over... and the time has come to save the life of Angelo de la Cruz and safeguard the lives of our migrant workers whose only fault lies in taking on dangerous livelihood opportunities to enable themselves to remit hard-earned money to their families here.

Especially during a time when the Philippines is facing one of its turbulent periods, we cannot be perceived by our people as having a government that does not show genuine concern for its citizens,wherever they are, as they seek a better future for their loved ones.

by Detained former President Joseph Estrada*

We have to save the life of Angelo de la Cruz by all means. Although I would like to say that the Japanese government saved the lives of its three citizens who were also abducted by terrorists without withdrawing their troops in the Middle East. In other words, it can be done by more innovative negotiations with the captors of De la Cruz.

Opposition Sen. Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr.*

Mrs. Arroyo's decision should not be regarded as giving in to the demands of the Iraqi rebels since our soldiers there have already done their part and recalling them would not in any way affect the security of the war-torn country.

by Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson*

No basis at all for the continued presence of Philippine troops in Iraq... the President would be well-advised to immediately withdraw 51 Philippine troops in Iraq and thereby save not only the life of Filipino driver Angelo de la Cruz but also the lives and liberties of millions of Filipinos working in the Middle East, including our diplomatic and consular personnel in the Middle East and in various Muslim countries in Asia.

by former Senate President Jovito R. Salonga*

The Macapagal-Arroyo regime is accountable for endangering the life of Angelo de la Cruz and millions of other migrant workers by subserviently supporting the illegal and immoral US occupation of Iraq with the sending of Filipino troops and contract workers assisting the US occupiers. In doing so, it has flagrantly violated the national sovereignty of the Filipino people and placed the lives of migrant workers at high risk.

by National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) *

We are definitely going to show it as it is... Film is a documentary. It precisely qualified to the Sundance Film Festival because it is a documentary. The fact is Imelda (Marcos) is and will always be a documentary.

by Film festival director Amable "Tikoy" Aguiluz*
referring to 'Imelda, a documentary'
made by US-based filmmaker Ramona Diaz