Mohamed Elbaradei Quotes

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About Mohamed Elbaradei

Mohamed ElBaradei, born on June 29, 1942, in Cairo, Egypt, is a distinguished diplomat, lawyer, and politician who served as the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from 1997 to 2009. His life and works have been marked by his commitment to disarmament and peace, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 along with the IAEA. ElBaradei was educated at Victoria College (now the American University in Cairo) and the University of Cambridge. He began his career as a lawyer before joining the diplomatic service of Egypt. His experiences during the Arab-Israeli wars influenced his decision to pursue disarmament work. In 1984, ElBaradei was appointed as IAEA's Assistant Director-General for Africa and then Director for its Division of Humanitarian and Technical Affairs in 1993. His tenure as the Director-General of the IAEA is marked by his successful efforts to promote nuclear non-proliferation, particularly in Iran and North Korea. ElBaradei's leadership at the IAEA earned him international acclaim. He was known for his firm stance against nuclear proliferation while advocating for peaceful uses of atomic energy. His approach was characterized by diplomacy, transparency, and consensus-building, which were reflected in his famous quote, "Diplomacy is about finding a way forward, not a winner." After leaving the IAEA, ElBaradei returned to Egypt and entered politics. He served as Egypt's Vice President from 2013 to 2014, playing a significant role in the country's political transition following the Arab Spring. Despite facing challenges, he continues to advocate for democracy, human rights, and peace. His autobiography, "A Possibility of Peace: A Memoir of Hope," published in 2016, offers insights into his life, career, and beliefs.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We must ensure that the pursuit of disarmament is always seen as a means to build peace, not just to prevent war."

This quote by Mohamed ElBaradei emphasizes the importance of viewing disarmament not merely as a tool for preventing conflict, but rather as a means to construct peace. It suggests that disarmament should be seen as a proactive step towards building a more harmonious and stable world, rather than just reacting to the presence of weapons or threats of war. This perspective underscores the idea that peace-building is an ongoing process, requiring constant attention and effort, rather than a one-time achievement.

"The challenge we face is not just about disarmament and non-proliferation, it is about the survival of humanity and our planet."

This quote by Mohamed ElBaradei emphasizes that the global issues related to disarmament and non-proliferation are not merely technical or geopolitical matters; they transcend these boundaries and have profound implications for the survival of humanity and our planet. The challenges we face, such as nuclear proliferation, climate change, and resource depletion, require urgent attention because they pose existential threats to the future of life on Earth. Therefore, the solutions must go beyond political negotiations and demand collective action from all nations, civil society, and individuals alike for the preservation of our shared home, planet Earth.

"We must never forget that the real winners in disarmament are the people - they are the ones who reap the benefits of a safer world."

This quote highlights that the primary beneficiaries of disarmament, or any steps towards peace and security, are the general public. A safer world free from the threat of weapons means less violence, reduced fear, improved stability, and enhanced opportunities for growth and development. Essentially, disarmament allows people to live their lives without constant anxiety about war and destruction, enabling them to focus on more positive aspects like education, health, and economic progress.

"The goal of disarmament must be to establish a world free of nuclear weapons, a world where the threat of catastrophic violence no longer hangs over our heads."

This quote by Mohamed ElBaradei underscores the aspiration for a peaceful, secure world, devoid of nuclear weapons and the imminent threat they pose to global safety and stability. It emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in disarmament efforts aimed at eliminating the potential for catastrophic violence caused by nuclear weapons, ultimately fostering an environment where nations can coexist without the constant specter of mass destruction.

"In our complex and interconnected world, it is essential that we act together, with cooperation and shared responsibility, to tackle global challenges."

This quote by Mohamed ElBaradei emphasizes the importance of international collaboration in addressing global issues. In today's intricate and linked-up world, individual efforts may no longer be sufficient to effectively handle worldwide problems such as climate change, poverty, or pandemics. Cooperation among nations, shared responsibility, and collective action are essential to create sustainable solutions and maintain global stability. This quote highlights the idea that our challenges are interconnected, and addressing them requires a united front working towards mutual goals.

Once in a while, I have to pinch myself to remind myself I am Nobel laureate, but that is not part of my work plan every day.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Work, Every Day, Pinch, Laureate

Nuclear proliferation is on the rise. Equipment, material and training were once largely inaccessible. Today, however, there is a sophisticated worldwide network that can deliver systems for producing material usable in weapons.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Sophisticated, However, Inaccessible

Historically, Islam was hijacked about 20 or 30 years after the Prophet and interpreted in such a way that the ruler has absolute power and is accountable only to God. That, of course, was a very convenient interpretation for whoever was the ruler.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Prophet, Very, About, Convenient

Threat is in the eye of the beholder.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Eye, Threat, Beholder

We must abandon the unworkable notion that it is morally reprehensible for some countries to pursue weapons of mass destruction, yet morally acceptable for others to rely on them for security - and indeed to continue to refine their capacities and postulate plans for their use.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Some, Use, Acceptable, Morally

America is always a good target for a populist. In many countries, particularly authoritarian systems, if you want to get an extra bonus, you bash the Americans.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Always, Bonus, Particularly, Authoritarian

You in the West have been sold the idea that the only options in the Arab world are between authoritarian regimes and Islamic jihadists. That's obviously bogus.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Been, Sold, Bogus, Authoritarian

You don't get the fox to be in charge of the chicken coop. You don't give the outgoing regime - which has been practicing dictatorship, is an authoritarian system, it's a bunch of military people - the task of changing Egypt into a second republic, a new Egypt with democracy, freedom, rights, etc.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Chicken, Been, Outgoing, Authoritarian

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

Fact, Very, Abroad, Ominous

You need to form a grand coalition, and you need to put your ideological differences aside and work together to focus on people's basic needs. You can't eat sharia.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Need, Needs, Ideological, Work Together

Countries that perceive themselves to be vulnerable can be expected to try to redress that vulnerability - and in some cases, they will pursue clandestine weapons programs.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Will, Some, Cases, Redress

Young Egyptians, gazing through the windows of the Internet, have gained a keener sense than many of their elders of the freedoms and opportunities they lack. They have found in social media a way to interact and share ideas, bypassing, in virtual space, the restrictions placed on physical freedom of assembly.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Through, Virtual, Placed, Keener

I hear that from so many different governments, people coming to me and saying, 'You should be careful'. But I don't want to go around with bodyguards.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Want, Be Careful, Careful, Bodyguards

People feel repressed by their own governments; they feel unfairly treated by the outside world; they wake up in the morning, and who do they see - they see people being shot and killed: all Muslims from Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Darfur.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Wake Up, Own, Feel, Repressed

I have, as you know, the utmost respect for President Obama as a person.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Know, Person, Obama, Utmost Respect

The Israelis should understand that it is in their long-term interest to have a democratic Egypt as a neighbor, and that it is prudent to acknowledge the legitimate interests of the Palestinians and to grant them their own state.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Own, Understand, Egypt, Israelis

I think one country with nuclear weapons is one country too many.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Think, Country, I Think, One Country

My sister-in-law works for a group that supports orphanages in Cairo. She and her colleagues take care of children left behind by circumstances beyond their control. They feed these children, clothe them, and teach them to read.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Behind, Beyond, Works, Supports

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

Country, Addressing, Issue, Tolerance

Whether one believes in evolution, intelligent design, or Divine Creation, one thing is certain. Since the beginning of history, human beings have been at war with each other, under the pretext of religion, ideology, ethnicity and other reasons. And no civilization has ever willingly given up its most powerful weapons.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Other, Been, Reasons, Willingly

People talk about smart sanctions and crippling sanctions. I've never seen smart sanctions, and crippling sanctions cripple everyone, including innocent civilians, and make the government more popular.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

More, Everyone, Including, Crippling

We have lived for thousands of years together, Muslims and Christians; we are part of the same society.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Society, Same, Christians, Thousands Of Years

You're shooting yourself in the foot if you isolate or disempower the moderates.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Yourself, Shooting, Isolate, Moderates

The international community must do a better job of controlling the risks of nuclear proliferation. Sensitive parts of the nuclear fuel cycle - the production of new fuel, the processing of weapon-usable material, the disposal of spent fuel and radioactive waste - would be less vulnerable to proliferation if brought under multinational control.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Fuel, Brought, Radioactive, Multinational

Unilateral preemption should not in any way be the model for how we conduct international relations.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

How, Should, Conduct, Relations

Sanctions are a bad idea.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Bad, Idea, Bad Idea, Sanctions

Your economic and social development is linked to the kind of regime you have.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Development, Social, Regime, Economic

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

Egypt, Right Track, Sooner, Arab World

What I see in the Arab world, in Egypt, everywhere is increasing radicalization.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

World, Egypt, See, Arab World

Israel claims it needs nuclear weapons as a deterrent against any threat to its existence. The Arab world in return feels that this is an imbalanced system; there is a sense of humiliation and impotence.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Needs, Deterrent, Feels, Arab World

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

Good Example, Country, Will, Libya

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

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Worry, About, Having, Dictatorship

We continue to have nuclear weapons relied on as a weapon of choice. If that policy were to continue, we continue to have countries who are in a security bind, if you like, or perceive themselves to be in security bind to look for acquisition of nuclear weapons.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Look, Like, Countries, Bind

I argue that for every country to have an independent fuel cycle is the wrong way to go. Because any country which has a complete fuel cycle is a latent nuclear weapons country, in the sense that it is not far from making a nuclear weapon.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Independent, Country, Fuel, Latent

The gap between rich and poor is widening dramatically. There's a hangar at the Cairo airport for private jets, billionaires are on the Forbes list, and Egypt's annual per-capita income is two thousand dollars. How can you sustain that?

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Income, Private, Widening, Dramatically

In my view, stability only comes with a government that is elected by the people and works for the people.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Government, View, Elected, Stability

I hope everybody will go back to the negotiating table. I've always said this is the only way forward.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Will, Always, Everybody, Negotiating

As much as we Egyptians treasure our military, acting alone it cannot provide the legitimacy to lay the foundations for democracy.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Foundations, Egyptians, Lay, Legitimacy

Challenging the integrity of the non-proliferation regime is a matter which can affect international peace and security.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Integrity, Security, Which, International

I'm used to politics at an international level: people put together an argument and, even if you vehemently disagree with them, well, you can recognise it's an argument and respond.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Politics, Argument, Level, International

Iran's goal is not to become another North Korea - a nuclear weapons possessor but a pariah in the international community - but rather Brazil or Japan, a technological powerhouse with the capacity to develop nuclear weapons if the political winds were to shift, while remaining a nonnuclear weapons state.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Brazil, Rather, Japan, International

I couldn't have imagined that I would live long enough to see Egypt emancipated from decades of repression.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Enough, Egypt, Imagined, Decades

You can't, in the 21st century, continue to live in a system where people live under martial law for 30 years.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Law, People, Years, 21st Century

I lose my temper at home. I try to control my temper at work. Sometimes, if you are under a lot of pressure, you let off some steam, but I also try not to do that because it's unfair to my wife.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Work, Wife, Some, Steam

Even with the best intentions, you can have a nuclear war, a nuclear holocaust, through miscalculation, through accidents.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Through, Holocaust, Even, Best Intentions

Only if you empower the liberals, if you empower the moderate socialists, if you empower all factions of society, only then will extremists be marginalised.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Will, Socialists, Extremists, Marginalised

We still live in a world where if you have nuclear weapons, you are buying power; you are buying insurance against attack.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Insurance, Against, Still, Weapons

Nobody wants any country to have nuclear weapons.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Country, Nobody, Wants, Weapons

I feel relieved that we discovered that Iraq did not have nuclear weapons.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Feel, Discovered, Iraq, Weapons

Whether weapons exist in Iraq, Saddam Hussein or post-Saddam Hussein, it is a serious enough issue that require that we continue to go and make sure that Iraq does not have weapons.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Sure, Hussein, Issue, Weapons

Everybody has to chip in, I think, and see how we can have a functioning system of collective security where we do not continue to face the threat of countries trying to acquire weapons of mass destruction or particularly nuclear weapons.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Everybody, I Think, Mass, Weapons

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

Country, Use, Wiped, Weapons

As long as some of us choose to rely on nuclear weapons, we continue to risk that these same weapons will become increasingly attractive to others.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Will, Some, Increasingly, Weapons

Iran has the technology to produce the highly enriched uranium, which is not automatically meaning nuclear weapon.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Weapon, Which, Enriched, Highly

Barack Obama has injected fresh momentum into efforts - stalled for a decade - to bring about nuclear disarmament.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Decade, Disarmament, Obama, Fresh

Democracy is more than a ballot box.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

More, Than, Ballot, Ballot Box

The Muslim Brotherhood is a religiously conservative group. They are a minority in Egypt. They are not a majority of the Egyptian people, but they have a lot of credibility because all the other liberal parties have been smothered for 30 years.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Conservative, Other, Been, Group

Well, first of all, we now have everybody with the exception of India, Pakistan, and Israel, and I don't think these three countries are going to join by simply providing them an incentive, in terms of technology.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Exception, Everybody, First Of All

I'm not a grassroots organizer; that is clear. I believe in a division of labor. I'm not trained to organize the grassroots, and grassroots has to come from the grassroots.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Clear, Grassroots, Trained, Organize

I guess law was always interesting to me because you deal with constants. I like to deal with constants, abstracts, constants and reason and ration, rational approaches to things. I don't know, I never really thought why I wanted to study law. But if you ask me whether I would do it again, absolutely.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Reason, Study, Deal, Ration

We now have the right to have immediate, unfettered access to any site in Iraq and we have the right to interview people, both inside and outside Iraq.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Right, Access, Iraq, Interview

I'm not a good small talker. I'm not into small talk, frankly.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Small, Frankly, Talker, Small Talk

I do not want to see the whole Egyptian people feel protected by my presence. They really have to fight for their freedom whether I'm there or not.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Want, Feel, Egyptian, Presence

So, we need to delegitimize the nuclear weapon, and by de-legitimizing... meaning trying to develop a different system of security that does not depend on nuclear deterrence.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Depend, Need, Develop, Deterrence

It is going to take a long time to switch Egypt into a democracy.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Long Time, Egypt, Take, Switch

It's up to any government to decide how to react to the denial of basic human rights anywhere in the world, including Egypt.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Egypt, Denial, Including, Human Rights

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

Stress, Think, Through, Great Deal

I think people are distrustful of politicians and are looking for someone who is telling the truth with no hidden agenda.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Think, I Think, Telling, Agenda

Discipline is part of my professional training as a lawyer.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Discipline, Training, Part, Lawyer

I'm a lawyer. I go for due process; I go for fairness and equity - these values mean a lot to me.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Values, Process, Fairness, Lawyer

I am an Egyptian Muslim, educated in Cairo and New York, and now living in Vienna. My wife and I have spent half our lives in the North, half in the South. And we have experienced first hand the unique nature of the human family and the common values we all share.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Muslim, Half, South, Experienced

Egypt under Hosni Mubarak had deteriorated to the status of a failed state. We must wipe the slate clean and start again.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Egypt, Again, Deteriorated, Wipe

Everyone in the Middle East pretty much wants to come and be an American citizen, but pretty much everybody is angry with the U. S. foreign policy.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Pretty, Citizen, Everybody, American Citizen

Psychology is as important as substance. If you treat people with respect, they will go out of their way to accommodate you. If you treat them in a patronizing way, they will go out of their way to make your life difficult.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Treat, Will, Substance, Accommodate

The dream of democracy has long been enshrined in the hearts of the Egyptian people. It only needed awakening.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Dream, Been, Enshrined, Awakening

You will not really have durable peace without a proper security structure in the Middle East.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Security, East, Durable, Structure

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

Best, Spontaneity, Davis, Structure

The U.S. engages with North Korea, so I don't see why they can't engage with Iran.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Why, North, Iran, Engage

The time is right for a political solution and the way is negotiations.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Time, Political, Solution, Negotiations

I grew up in a conservative household. That was the life of the time in Egypt: a conservative, middle-class household.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Conservative, Middle-Class, Household

When I go to Iran, I see... that there are all different shades and colors in Iran, from atheist to religious zealot. So Iran is no different than any other country. I mean, they are connected with the rest of the world.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Country, Shades, Religious, Atheist

The globalization that has swept away the barriers to the movement of goods, ideas and people has also swept with it barriers that confined and localized security threats.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Away, Confined, Swept, Globalization

If a huge number of people call for change, the government will have to react. If you want to avoid uprisings, or demonstrations, you need to respond to the people's desperate need for change.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Will, Need, Desperate, Respond

If you have nothing to hide, there is no reason not to be transparent.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Reason, Nothing, Hide, No Reason

If a country is suspected of going nuclear, you need to understand why. Why does it feel insecure?

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Country, Need, Going, Insecure

The Nobel Peace Prize is a powerful message. A durable peace is not a single achievement, but an environment, a process and a commitment.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Single, Nobel Peace Prize, Nobel

Every country has the right to nuclear technology as long as they use it safely, peacefully and in a secure way.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Country, Right, Use, Peacefully

Egypt needs to catch up with the rest of the world. We need to be free, democratic, and - society where people have the right to live in freedom and dignity.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Rest, Egypt, Needs, Catch

There is no religion that was founded on intolerance - and no religion that does not value the sanctity of human life.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Human Life, Does, Founded, Intolerance

My conscience does not permit me to run for the presidency or any other official position unless it is within a democratic framework.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Conscience, Other, Within, Framework

Managing a country is like managing a company in many ways. It maybe involves more complicated issues, but it's the same skills.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Country, Like, Maybe, Managing

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

Control, Active, Global, Interests

In a democracy, when you get 20 million people in the street, you resign.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Street, Get, Million People, Million

I cannot bear the responsibility for one drop of blood.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Responsibility, Drop, Cannot, Bear

I think the Egyptian people need to restore confidence that Americans, the U.S., means what they say when they talk about democracy, rule of law.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Think, I Think, Means, They Say

The Egyptians have grown in confidence, they've tasted freedom, and there's no way back.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Freedom, Egyptians, Tasted

The U.S. is not the holder of truth.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Truth, Holder

Well, I think we still have to verify whatever declaration we will get and make sure that it is comprehensive and accurate. So, that would take care of the past activities.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Think, I Think, Still, Declaration

You either have a civil society or you don't.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Society, Either, Civil

I think we still have a chance if we continue with our work, if Iraq provides full cooperation, we should still be able to avoid a war.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Think, I Think, Still, Avoid

Democracy is not an instant coffee.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Coffee, Democracy, Instant

If you bet on individuals instead of the people, you are going to fail.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Fail, Going, Individuals, Bet

My father taught me that you have to stand by your principles.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Father, Me, Taught, Principles

The global community has become irreversibly interdependent, with the constant movement of people, ideas, goods and resources.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Resources, Constant, Goods, Interdependent

How can you run for president if you don't know the job description?

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Know, How, Description, Job Description

All I know is, I think I would like to continue to do public service.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Think, I Think, Would, Public Service

If Egypt were going to change, it is going to change through the young people.

- Mohamed ElBaradei

Young People, Through, Going, Egypt

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