"In 1998, the roadside standoff between Aung San Suu Kyi and the military reflected the larger impasse between the SPDC and the National League for Democracy. In a surprise move, Burma?s military leaders changed the name of the government to the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) at the end of 1997, but this has been regarded as only a cosmetic change and, in 1998, there was ardly peace or development in Burma as political instability continued with the potential for future explosion..."