Quotes from President Félix Houphouët-Boigny

“ I feel hatred for hatred and I disapprove of all violence in relations amongst men.”

Man, 25 January 1960

“ In our day, certainly more so than in eras past traversed by mankind, world peace is indivisible.”

Annual greetings to the Diplomatic Corps, 1 January 1967

“ Dialogue is the arm of the strong , not of the weak, it is the arm of those who treat their general problems before their personal problems, before questions of self-esteem. In searching peace, true peace, just and lasting peace, we must not hesitate for one second to obstinately resort to dialogue.”

Annual greetings to the Diplomatic Corps, 1 January 1970

“ We are all bound to the same destiny, Africa’s destiny and if we can lead the struggle for peace within our country, peace amongst our countries, peace amongst our countries and the rest of the world, we will then have been of service to Africa.”

Press conference on dialogue, Abidjan, 28 April 1971

“ We have but one object of hatred : war, but one obsession : peace, peace in the hearts, social peace, peace amongst Nations.”

Yamoussoukro, 12 June 1973

“ Requiring constant exhortation, Peace is continually acquired, most often silently.”

UNESCO, Paris, 7 May 1976

“ Peace will not exist as long as force will appear to be the only way out of intolerable situations.”

National Day, 7 December 1979, Katiola

“ It is easier to make war than it is to make peace.”

7^th P.D.C.I.-R.D.A congress, 19-30 September and 1 October 1980