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

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.

One person alone can't do anything as important as bringing genuine democracy to a country.

We cannot be caught in the bond of suspicion. We have to carry out what we should be doing with a firm determination.

War is not the only arena where peace is done to death.

The struggle for democracy and human rights in Burma is a struggle for life and dignity. It is a struggle that encompasses our political, social and economic aspirations.

My attitude to peace is rather based on the Burmese definition of peace - it really means removing all the negative factors that destroy peace in this world. So peace does not mean just putting an end to violence or to war, but to all other factors that threaten peace, such as discrimination, such as inequality, poverty.