The quintessential revolution is that of spirit. Without this, the forces which produce the inequalities of the old order will continue to operate.

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

There have been many claims that [U.S.] sanctions have hurt Burma economically, but I did not agree with that point of view. If you look at reports by the IMF, for example, they make quite clear that the economic impact on Burma has not been that great. But I think the political impact has been very great and that has helped us in our struggle for democracy.

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

Taking sides cannot bring peace and balance.

So, I think that for the authorities to say now that calling for sanctions will prevent dialogue is a ploy to stop us from supporting sanctions. It has to be the other way around: dialogue first, then we stop our call for sanctions, because sanctions make people understand that you cannot exercise repression and at the same time expect international support.

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.