Quotes in the news 03/03/04

"The time is not for fighting anymore." -- Guy Philippe, who helped lead the bloody rebellion in Haiti that pressured President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to resign and flee into exile.

"Everyone was born free. Personally I would like an Islamic state, but it should only come about if the people vote for it." -- Seyed Ali Abdul-Karim al-Safi al-Musawi, an aide to Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani, Iraq's most influential Shiite Muslim cleric. Iraqi politicians have agreed on an interim constitution that bans any laws that violate the tenets of the Muslim faith.

"It's now official. There is nobody left in New Zealand to thank."-- Oscar host Billy Crystal joked after "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" won a record-tying 11 Oscars, including one for best picture.