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Soundbites

“Appropriate in stature, quick in movement and unafraid of hardship, Chinese astronauts are obviously superior.â€

Su Shuangning, head of China’s space programme, on China’s plans to launch a manned spacecraft in 2003 (European Internet Network, 6 January)

“Our brand is already soiled.â€

Marc Druart, spokesman for the shellfish industry in Bordeaux, on the decision to withdraw shellfish from the market after oil from the Prestige washed ashore (Reuters.com, 5 January)

“All we wanted was an undertaking that it was not StarLink [modified corn].â€

A. M. Gokhale, chairman of India’s Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, explaining why the country rejected a 1000-tonne shipment of a corn-soya blend from the US (Hindustan Times, 5 January)

“Drinking and walkingis as dangerous as drinking and driving.â€

South Africa’s transport minister Dullah Omar, on the fact that 60 per cent of pedestrians killed on South Africa’s roads in December were under the influence of alcohol (Financial Times, London, 7 January).

“Israel must be preparedfor surprises.â€

Major General Dan Halutz, on Israel’s test of its antimissile system ahead of a possible war in the Gulf (The Mercury News, San Francisco, 6 January)

“We hope to find thisburial place and maybethe Holy Grail itself.â€

John Ritchie of the Knights Templar, who are using ultrasound and thermal imaging technology to search vaults beneath Rosslyn Chapel, near Edinburgh (The Independent, London, 6 January)