Peace as a goal is an ideal which will not be contested by any government or nation, not even the most belligerent.

Human rights and rule of law are inseparably connected.

I do protect human rights, and I hope I shall always be looked up as a champion of human rights.

Foreign investors will not come and do things without any returns for themselves. And we don't expect them to come work for us free. But the local population should benefit rightfully. The locals should benefit just a little more than the companies.

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.

I've always tried to explain democracy is not perfect. But it gives you a chance to shape your own destiny.

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.