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

My attitude to peace is rather based on the Burmese definition of peace - it really means removing all the negative factors that destroy peace in this world. So peace does not mean just putting an end to violence or to war, but to all other factors that threaten peace, such as discrimination, such as inequality, poverty.

After I was released, people used to keep asking me, 'what's it like to be free? And it was very difficult for me to answer. I'd always felt free. As far as my state of mind was concerned, I didn't feel any different...People ask me about what sacrifices I've made. I always answer: I've made no sacrifices, I've made choices.

I could listen to the radio and I had access to books from time to time. Not all the time.

What does Burma have to give the United States? We can give you the opportunity to engage with people who are ready and willing to change a society.

It is not power that corrupts but fear.

I look upon myself as a politician. That isn't a dirty word.