Calamities that are not the result of purely natural phenomena usually have their origins, distant and obscure though they may be, in common human failings.

I would like to have seen my sons growing up.

The main aim of the [political] dialogue should be to resolve the problems of the nation, not to find who is the winner and who is the loser. That's not what it's all about. It's to try and find an answer that is acceptable to all parties concerned, which would of course require some give and take.

It is the love of ordinary people, in Burma, in Japan or anywhere else in the world, for justice and peace and freedom that is our surest defense against the forces of unreason and extremism.

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.

I feel that the BBC World Service is not as versatile as it used to be - or perhaps I'm not listening at the right times.

It is not enough to sit and hope. You have to work in order to realize your hopes.