In Burma, we have only about four percent of the people in our country who are (college) graduates. So can we not value the majority? No, we must. If we just value the graduates, then does that mean our people are not valuable? I don't believe that. What is important is we need right people in right positions.

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

How can you call it a sacrifice when you choose to do something because you believe in it?

I could listen to the radio and I had access to books from time to time. Not all the time.

I was a bit of a coward when I was small. I was terribly frightened of the dark.

When the Nobel Committee chose to honor me, the road I had chosen of my own free will became a less lonely path to follow.

Every government must consider the security of the country. That is just part of the responsibilities of any government. But true security can only come out of unity within a country where there are so many ethnic nationalities.