And then I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to go to China in 1980, which was quite early.

Quote by John Pomfret

Topics: John Pomfret Quotes

My main form of transportation at that time was a bicycle, because bicycles could move...

My main form of transportation at that time was a bicycle, because bicycles could move...

A lot of times when we work overseas we tend to put the experience of...

A lot of times when we work overseas we tend to put the experience of...

I think to a certain extent in Bosnia and among the Hutus in Rwanda and...

I think to a certain extent in Bosnia and among the Hutus in Rwanda and...

I think some of the best reporters are the ones who can really illustrate the...

I think some of the best reporters are the ones who can really illustrate the...

But on the other hand, in the midst of the chaos, you find normal people....

But on the other hand, in the midst of the chaos, you find normal people....

Srebrenica was a horrendous war crime and it had to be uncovered.

Srebrenica was a horrendous war crime and it had to be uncovered.

One of the problems that we have as American journalists is that we bring the...

One of the problems that we have as American journalists is that we bring the...

The one indication that I got that I was doing the right job in Bosnia...

The one indication that I got that I was doing the right job in Bosnia...

Stanford had no journalism program so I just learned by doing, effectively.

Stanford had no journalism program so I just learned by doing, effectively.

And when they do spin out of control there are important ramifications that affect America,...

And when they do spin out of control there are important ramifications that affect America,...

I grew up in New York City in the late '70s, at a time when...

I grew up in New York City in the late '70s, at a time when...

Good journalism, I think, represents life and if you try to organize something too neatly...

Good journalism, I think, represents life and if you try to organize something too neatly...

When you do a job like this you have to like having cold sweat on...

When you do a job like this you have to like having cold sweat on...

I think that's the main threat in Bosnia and Rwanda and Zaire. There doesn't seem...

I think that's the main threat in Bosnia and Rwanda and Zaire. There doesn't seem...

For me the much more significant question is what did the Americans do, if anything,...

For me the much more significant question is what did the Americans do, if anything,...

Working overseas is more difficult in that it's much more complicated to get people to...

Working overseas is more difficult in that it's much more complicated to get people to...

Whereas with foreign coverage there's a much broader disconnect between you and your audience.

Whereas with foreign coverage there's a much broader disconnect between you and your audience.

I had my life threatened by Bosnian Serbs on numerous occasions.

I had my life threatened by Bosnian Serbs on numerous occasions.

I went back to the States and started at a small newspaper in Riverside County,...

I went back to the States and started at a small newspaper in Riverside County,...

The work is a calling. It demands that type of obsession.

The work is a calling. It demands that type of obsession.