What we are lacking in Burma is an independence effective judiciary, and unless we have all three of the democratic institutions - strong and healthy, we cannot say that our democratic processes (is complete).

Jobless people will have no self-confidence. And they feel they are worthless because when you don't have a job you have to rely on someone.

Foreign investors will not come and do things without any returns for themselves. And we don't expect them to come work for us free. But the local population should benefit rightfully. The locals should benefit just a little more than the companies.

Fear is not the natural state of civilized people.

Lasting solutions are always difficult to come to. But they will have to persevere. I've been repeating ad nauseam that we in Burma we are weak with regard to the culture of negotiated compromises, that we have to develop the ability to achieve such compromises.

People need security of the mind. Why do they want democracy? Because it can give them freedom and security in a balanced way.

Human rights and rule of law are inseparably connected.