Loose cannons

June 21, 2000
Issue 

Loose cannons

Caught greed, bowled Satan

“In a moment of stupidity and weakness I allowed Satan and the world to dictate terms to me.” — Hansie Cronje, sacked as South African cricket captain after admitting to taking money from a bookmaker.

Genetically PC?

“The army is trying to paint me as a rebel and a terrorist, even though I'm a Fijian.” — Fijian terrorist George Speight.

What are the odds?

“There are no plans to sack further people at SOCOG. Obviously, if someone does something terrible between now and then, maybe something will happen.” — SOCOG's deputy chief executive, Michael Myers, after SOCOG sacked three of its managers a week earlier.

Tranquility

“Nothing much happened.” — Major General Kiki Syahnakri, Indonesia's senior commander in East Timor, commenting last week on the events during the 18 days of martial law after East Timor's independence vote last August.

Seems likely

“I expect our relationship with the United States to continue ... and even be strengthened.” — Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, on US criticism of his undemocratic “re-election”.

Circulation

“The circulation of state-owned shares is only a matter of time.” — China's minister for finance, Xiang Huaicheng, commenting on June 14 on China's $20 billion fire sales of state-owned companies.

Private security

“It is rational to cash some state assets to raise funds for social security purposes.” — Xiang Huaicheng again. 


 

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