“Action had to be taken in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, but I am very concerned about the current administration's rhetoric and apparent zeal to expand military action to other places. I'm afraid that terrorism is being used as an excuse, not only for possible military action in such places as Iraq, Iran, and the Philippines, but also for exorbitant increases in defense spending that have nothing to do with terrorism.” ActionTakenMilitaryConcernedResponseExcuseTerrorismTerroristSeptemberRhetoricZealSeptember 11 Author:Oscar Arias
“The problem with basing weapons sales on strategic interest is that these interests tend to shift over time, while weapons are durable goods that do not evaporate as quickly as some alliances do. Once supplied, they can't be taken back. That leads to situations such as the ones we have seen in Iraq, Somalia.” ProblemInterestSituationTaken Author:Oscar Arias
“Hope is the strongest driving force for a people. Hope which brings about change, which produces new realities, is what opens man's road to freedom. Once hope has taken hold, courage must unite with wisdom. That is the only way of avoiding violence, the only way of maintaining the calm one needs to respond peacefully to offenses.” PeopleMenWayNeedsWisdomRealityForceFreedomCourageTakenViolenceProduceCalmDrivingStrongestOffenseAvoidingMaintainingDriving Force Author:Oscar Arias