Some believe that the only way to remove the authoritarian regime and replace it with a democratic one is through violent means. I would like to set the precedent of political change through political settlement, not through violence.

The best way to help Burma is to empower the people of Burma, to help us have enough self-confidence to obtain what we want for ourselves.

If the restrictions on the work of my party and on me personally are not removed in the very, very near future - that is in a matter of days - I think the United States should start thinking seriously of sanctions. This is really about as bad as it has ever been.

Government leaders are amazing. So often it seems they are the last to know what the people want.

You must remember that democracy is made up not only of the executive, but the legislature and the judiciary.

Burmese political culture lacks an understanding of negotiated compromise. We have to build up that kind of culture.

One person alone can't do anything as important as bringing genuine democracy to a country.