鈥淎ppropriate in stature, quick in movement and unafraid of hardship, Chinese astronauts are obviously superior.鈥�
Su Shuangning, head of China鈥檚 space programme, on China鈥檚 plans to launch a manned spacecraft in 2003 (European Internet Network, 6 January)
鈥淥ur brand is already soiled.鈥�
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Marc Druart, spokesman for the shellfish industry in Bordeaux, on the decision to withdraw shellfish from the market after oil from the Prestige washed ashore (Reuters.com, 5 January)
鈥淎ll we wanted was an undertaking that it was not StarLink [modified corn].鈥�
A. M. Gokhale, chairman of India鈥檚 Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, explaining why the country rejected a 1000-tonne shipment of a corn-soya blend from the US (Hindustan Times, 5 January)
鈥淒rinking and walkingis as dangerous as drinking and driving.鈥�
South Africa鈥檚 transport minister Dullah Omar, on the fact that 60 per cent of pedestrians killed on South Africa鈥檚 roads in December were under the influence of alcohol (Financial Times, London, 7 January).
鈥淚srael must be preparedfor surprises.鈥�
Major General Dan Halutz, on Israel鈥檚 test of its antimissile system ahead of a possible war in the Gulf (The Mercury News, San Francisco, 6 January)
鈥淲e hope to find thisburial place and maybethe Holy Grail itself.鈥�
John Ritchie of the Knights Templar, who are using ultrasound and thermal imaging technology to search vaults beneath Rosslyn Chapel, near Edinburgh (The Independent, London, 6 January)