"Surrounded by military airplanes and warships from the world's most civilized and developed nations, we have been denied permission by friendly governments, for reasons of security, to land anywhere, but in the tiny, and still neutral, Republic of Djibouti"
- Thor Heyerdahl
About this Quote
This quote by Thor Heyerdahl talks to the power of the military might of the world's most developed countries. Heyerdahl is highlighting the fact that despite being surrounded by military planes and warships from the most effective countries worldwide, they were denied approval to land anywhere but in the small, neutral Republic of Djibouti. This talks to the enormous power of these countries and their ability to control access to their airspace and waters. Heyerdahl's quote likewise speaks to the value of neutrality in worldwide relations, as the Republic of Djibouti was the only nation ready to enable them to land. This quote functions as a reminder of the power of the world's most powerful countries and the importance of neutrality in worldwide relations.
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