Fires of suffering and strife are raging around the world.

So, I think that for the authorities to say now that calling for sanctions will prevent dialogue is a ploy to stop us from supporting sanctions. It has to be the other way around: dialogue first, then we stop our call for sanctions, because sanctions make people understand that you cannot exercise repression and at the same time expect international support.

The best way to help Burma is to empower the people of Burma, to help us have enough self-confidence to obtain what we want for ourselves.

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

After all it was my father who founded the Burmese army and I do have a sense of warmth towards the Burmese army.

Democracy acknowledges the right to differ as well as the duty to settle differences peacefully. Authoritarian governments see criticism of their actions and doctrines as a challenge to combat.

If you feel helpless, go help someone.