There is a time to be quiet and a time to talk.

Some believe that the only way to remove the authoritarian regime and replace it with a democratic one is through violent means. I would like to set the precedent of political change through political settlement, not through violence.

We want to empower our people; we want to strengthen them; we want to provide them with the kind of qualifications that will enable them to build up their own country themselves.

When I was under house arrest, it was the BBC that spoke to me - I listened.

When fear sets in, you don't trust others and when you don't trust anyone then you become selfish.

In politics, you also have to be cautiously optimistic.

Burma wants to have good relations with our neighboring countries, China and India. I do believe the United States itself wants to live in harmony with China and India. That's why we have to lay down political policies that are fair for everyone.