"The Kurdish people have the right of self-determination like every other nation in the world."
Jalal Talabani
Politician
Jalal Talabani was an influential Iraqi politician and the first President of Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein, known for his efforts in promoting unity and democracy.
- Born
- July 12, 1933
- Died
- October 3, 2017
- Quotes
- 41
- Rank
- #1518
About Jalal Talabani
Jalal Talabani — Life and Legacy
Jalal Talabani, a prominent Iraqi politician, served as the first President of Iraq following the fall of Saddam Hussein. His leadership was marked by a commitment to fostering unity among Iraq's diverse ethnic and religious groups, a theme that resonates deeply in his quotes. Talabani often articulated the necessity of collaboration, stating that 'the only way to build a future is through unity,' reflecting his belief that Iraq's strength lies in its diversity. His core philosophy centered around democracy and dialogue, which he emphasized in numerous speeches and writings. Talabani's assertion that 'leadership is not about power, but about service' encapsulates his approach to governance, where he prioritized the needs of the people over personal gain. This perspective challenged the prevailing norms of authoritarian rule in the region, advocating for a more inclusive political landscape. Today, Talabani's quotes continue to resonate, serving as a reminder of the importance of unity and cooperation in overcoming societal challenges. His insights into leadership and peace remain relevant, inspiring new generations to pursue a collaborative approach to governance and community building.
Quote collection
Jalal Talabani quotes (page 1 of 3)
41 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"The Kurdish people welcome the no-fly zone protection, contrary to the Iraqi regime that is against it."
"Our gratitude to the American people is immense and we should never be embarrassed to express it."
"A military coup needs a sacrifice and courage that you can't find in an army without morale."
"Justice for the major perpetrators cannot be separated from the vindication of the rights of the individual victim."
"Wishful thinking is one thing, and reality another."
"The justice of our cause must be reflected in the manner in which we rectify the crimes of the past."
"Trust is for lovers. In politics there are only converging interests."
"Democracies, unlike dictatorships, are forgiving and generous, but they cannot survive unless they fight."
"Conciliation is not capitulation, nor is compromise to be deemed equivalent to imbalanced concession."
"I always tell the Kurds who defend independence: Let's say we declared the independent Kurdish state and Syria, Iran, Iraq and Turkey imposed sanctions on us, without waging a war. How would we survive under those circumstances?"
"My door will always be open to those who genuinely renounce violence and seek peaceful accommodation into our nascent democracy."
"The brutal regime of the dictator fell, the regime that ruled Iraq for decades, the decades of darkness. The decades that were of tyranny."
"I must tell you that I am committed, as the president of Iraq, to benchmarks and to do our best to achieve some progress forward for national reconciliation."
"As president of Iraq, I shall strive to represent the diversity of a country that has too often in the past denied difference."
"Military confrontation is not a suitable alternative in confronting terror and current security threats."
"To move any regime you need to have co-operation and co-ordination between Kurds, Shia Arabs, Sunni Arabs, the people and the army. Until we have this we cannot change the regime."
"I voted 'yes' and I urge all Iraqis, no matter their different ethnicities and religions ... to vote 'yes' to the constitution"
"We need to make a distinction between misled Iraqis, those who believe that they are carrying weapons to liberate Iraq from what they call occupation, and criminal gangs that came from outside and wants to wage a deadly war on the Iraqi people, killing women and children in mosques and churches."
"Self-determination could mean independence, confederacy, federal and autonomy."