I don't want to see the military falling. I want to see the military rising to dignified heights of professionalism and true patriotism.

If you can make people understand why freedom is so important through the arts, that would be a big help.

One prisoner of conscience is one too many.

I feel that the BBC World Service is not as versatile as it used to be - or perhaps I'm not listening at the right times.

If you're feeling helpless, help someone.

Humor is one of the best ingredients of survival.

There have been many claims that [U.S.] sanctions have hurt Burma economically, but I did not agree with that point of view. If you look at reports by the IMF, for example, they make quite clear that the economic impact on Burma has not been that great. But I think the political impact has been very great and that has helped us in our struggle for democracy.