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

In Burma, we need to improve education in the country - not only primary education, but secondary and tertiary education. Our education system is very very bad. But, of course, if you look at primary education, we have to think in terms of early childhood development that's going back to before the child is born - making sure the mother is well nourished and the child is properly nurtured.

I don't think of myself as unbreakable. Perhaps I'm just rather flexible and adaptable.

Even one voice can be heard loudly all over the world in this day and age.

We have been making constant efforts, all the time, to start dialogue with the SLORC, but you know it takes two. We don't want a monologue. We would like a substantive political dialogue among the SLORC, political leaders including myself, and leaders of ethnic groups-exactly as stipulated in the U.N. General Assembly resolution on Burma.

Challenges mean opportunities as well.

I don't believe in professional dissidents. I think it's just a phase, like adolescence.