Apartheid Quote by Bob Hawke
![“I assumed the leadership within the Commonwealth for the fight against apartheid. I was very much assisted by Brian Mulroney, the Prime Minister of Canada, [and] Rajiv Gandhi, when he became the Prime Minister of India. And there were trade sanctions.” quote by Bob Hawke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d80/bob-hawke-7891_apartheid_i-assumed-the-leadership-within-the-comm_2668686.jpg)
“I assumed the leadership within the Commonwealth for the fight against apartheid. I was very much assisted by Brian Mulroney, the Prime Minister of Canada, [and] Rajiv Gandhi, when he became the Prime Minister of India. And there were trade sanctions.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Commonwealth Leadership, 1990
International collaboration against oppression requires strategic alliances and shared resolve.
In simple terms: Alliances fight oppression.
Key Takeaway
Build strong global partnerships.
Themes
politics
solidarity
human rights
strategy
Mood
hopeful
strategic
Type
inspirational
political
When to use this quote
- diplomatic negotiations
- humanitarian aid
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
International relations
anti‑apartheid movement
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you align diverse partners?
- What compromises are acceptable for justice?
A Different Perspective
Alliances may face conflicting interests.
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![“She [ Elizabeth II] is, you know, "Do-what-you're-told, Lady". But in the Commonwealth, she is much more than just a figurehead.” quote by Bob Hawke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4ae/bob-hawke-7891_commonwealth_she-elizabeth-ii-is-you-know-do-what-you_1440175.jpg)
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![“Brian Mulroney, myself, [and] Rajiv Gandhi; I think that was the real core [of the Commonwealth ]. That was the engine room, I reckon.” quote by Bob Hawke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/96c/bob-hawke-7891_brian_brian-mulroney-myself-and-rajiv-gandhi-i_19423.jpg)
![“We [ with Brian Mulroney and Rajiv Gandhi] went to the meeting in Canada [the 1987 Vancouver CHOGM] and I said to them there that sanctions weren't working; they were just being busted. And it did seem to me that one way that we could bring the apartheid regime down would be if we did mount an…” quote by Bob Hawke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/66c/bob-hawke-7891_apartheid_we-with-brian-mulroney-and-rajiv-gandhi_109260.jpg)
![“I told [ David Lange] he was crazy, because you can't have an alliance relationship if you refuse access to their ships. And the Americans wanted to punish him very severely and I intervened there and softened them somewhat. They wanted to really take some tough, reactive measures to New Zealand.” quote by Bob Hawke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9cd/bob-hawke-7891_access_i-told-david-lange-he-was-crazy-because_122774.jpg)
![“George Bush Junior [George W Bush] was a religious fanatic, and Tony Blair wasn't far behind in a way.” quote by Bob Hawke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/852/bob-hawke-7891_behinds_george-bush-junior-george-w-bush-was-a-r_342255.jpg)
