"I know my people. They like grandeur. They want us to have respect abroad in the eyes of other countries."

“Why should I feed my prisoners when I don't have enough to feed my peasants?”

“When you are a soldier, either you surrender or you are killed. But you don't flee.”

“The chief is the chief. He is the eagle who flies high and cannot be touched by the spit of the toad.”

“Between a brother and a friend, the choice is clear.”

“Clearly, I would be lying if I said I do not have a bank account in Europe; I do. I would be lying if I said I do not have considerable money in my account; I do. Yes, I do have a fair amount of money. However, I would estimate it to total less than 50 million dollars. What is that for twenty-two years as head of state in such a big country?”

“As regards George Bush, I've met him thirteen times. We know each other from way back. He was in charge of the CIA and knew Zaire's problems backwards. He received me at his home in Maine with his mother, wife and children and grandchildren. I met him again recently at the funeral of Emperor Hirohito. He is an intelligent, open and sensitive man, with strong convictions.”