I do not do things unless I feel good about them, and I do not live unless I am sure that I will keep on living. And I do not play unless I will win.

To say that we will protect our friend, this is good. He is one who deserves our protection. But it will not be easy, and this is what I think of. If I say that I think we should have some price ready to offer to them, besides 'we have said this will be'--is that foolproof, or is that preparation?

A negotiation means we must have something to offer them. What do we have? My pockets are empty.

[....mostly.]