I was surprised by the response of young people because there is a perception that those younger than the 1988 generation are not interested in politics.

Frankly, if you do politics, you should not be thinking about your dignity.

I don't think you can work on feelings in politics, apart from anything else, political change can come very unexpectedly, sometimes overnight when you least expect it.

We have to choose between dialogue and utter devastation.

I think that freedom is sometimes a state of mind. Sometimes, mind you, but not always.

Because of rampant inflation, living standards have been dropping for the great majority of the population. The people are poorer because standards of health and education have fallen. And conditions in the rural areas are worse off than they have ever been. So, you cannot equate the so-called open-market economy adopted by the SLORC with any real development that benefits people.

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