Burmese political culture lacks an understanding of negotiated compromise. We have to build up that kind of culture.

All right, your knees may be knocking but that shouldn't prevent you from going ahead and doing what you need to do.

Assuming the chairmanship of ASEAN isn't going to do anything about improving the lives of people.

It is incorrect to say there have been no reforms at all in Burma; there have of course been reforms, but we still need to do more for the people. To become a democratic society we have to continually be reforming.

It is part of the unceasing human endeavor to prove that the spirit of man can transcend the flaws of his own nature.

I don't want Burma to be a basket case forever.

Those who have to face persistent political persecution become highly politicized. Our lives take on a rhythm different from those who, on waking up in the morning, do not need to wonder who might have been arrested during the night and what further acts of blatant injustice might be committed against our people later during the day. Our antennae become highly sensitive to vibrations barely noticed by those whose everyday existence is removed from political struggle.