From the point of view of the investors, the basic structures necessary for sustained economic growth do not yet exist in Burma. Investment is not justifiable now. A lot of Western politicians say that through commercial contacts with democratic nations the Burmese people will gain experience of democratic principles. Not in the least. Commercial contacts are certainly not going to help Burmese people get democratic ideas.
New investments help a small lite get richer.
I would have thought that this would work against the very idea of democracy because the gap between rich and poor is growing all the time. Burma will always be here and when it is democratic it will be a place that I think tourists will enjoy visiting. You've become quite an extraordinary icon of hope. Yes, because if people base their hopes on you, then of course it's a responsibility. No, because I've always said that I can't do it alone and neither can the National League for Democracy.