America Quote by Kofi Annan
“When you have difficult issues on the table for discussion, then sometimes for Africa you may have Burundi or Gambia representing them on the Security Council; and then for Latin America you may have a country like Costa Rica, which is a wonderful country but they don't have the same weight as others from the other regions. And sometimes they get bullied. Sometimes their capitals come under lots of pressure to take a position.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: United Nations General Assembly, 2005
Power imbalances allow smaller nations to be pressured into positions they may not truly support.
In simple terms: Small states can be bullied in international forums.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and protect the voice of less powerful countries.
Themes
politics
power
diplomacy
justice
fairness
Mood
concerned
serious
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- UN negotiations
- regional alliances
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
sovereignty
influence
bullying
regional representation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can larger nations support weaker allies?
- What mechanisms ensure equitable decision‑making?
A Different Perspective
Small states may lack resources to resist pressure.
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![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
