In the absence of serious Syrian cooperation on substantive matters, the mission can't get to the ultimate truth. That is what is seems to me the focus the U.N. Security Council should be.

In light of this experience, that is, the absence of full cooperation by Iraq, it must regrettably be recorded again that the commission is not able to conduct the substantive disarmament work mandated to it by the Security Council and, thus, to give the council the assurances it requires with respect to Iraq's prohibited weapons programs.

Love reckons hours for months, and days for years; every little absence is an age.

somewhat troubled by the absence of a consistent policy governing our willingness to permit the President to participate in these private, commercial tributes . . . .

Absence is the enemy of love

It's so much darker when a light goes out than it would have been if it had never shone.