I only used a cell phone for the first time after I was released. I had difficulty coping with it because it seemed so small and insubstantial.

The provision of basic material needs is not sufficient to make minority groups and indigenous peoples feel they are truly part of the greater national entity. For that they have to be confident that they too have an active role to play in shaping the destiny of the state that demands their allegiance.

The [Burmese] government appears to be more interested in stamping out political activity than drug addiction. Very few university students on the campus could get away with engaging in political activities, but they seem to be able to get away with taking drugs. We have heard that it is very easy to obtain drugs on the university campuses.

I do protect human rights, and I hope I shall always be looked up as a champion of human rights.

Because of rampant inflation, living standards have been dropping for the great majority of the population. The people are poorer because standards of health and education have fallen. And conditions in the rural areas are worse off than they have ever been. So, you cannot equate the so-called open-market economy adopted by the SLORC with any real development that benefits people.

I do not look upon my life as a sacrifice at all.

Once serious political dialogue has begun, the international community can assume that we have achieved genuine progress along the road to real democratisation.