In politics, you also have to be cautiously optimistic.

European and American companies companies do create jobs for some people but what they're mainly going to do is make an already wealthy elite wealthier, and increase its greed and strong desire to hang on to power. So immediately and in the long run, these companies - harm the democratic process a great deal.

I've always said that the more coordinated the efforts of the international community are, the better it will be for democracy in Burma.

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

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

Human beings the world over need freedom and security that they may be able to realize their full potential.

The best way to deal with AIDS is through education. So we need a really widespread AIDS education program. In fact, what we need in Burma is education of all kinds - political, economic, and medical. AIDS education would be just part of a whole program for education, which is so badly needed in our country.