"...Despite the lack of progress toward a more democratic regime in Myanmar, many aspects of governance and life in general have changed. Owing to the government?s extensive infrastructure development programme and the cessation of armed hostilities in most of the country, Myanmar is now much more physically and psychologically integrated than at any time in its past. Ceasefire agreements between the government and a large number of former insurgent groups have given leaders on all sides an interest in the maintaining peace and stability. The country is also far more open to foreign influence than previously and positive relationships have been established with all of its neighbours. Despite of the replacement of Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and his military intelligence coterie, the government has not abandoned its ?road map” to a new constitutional order. New, inexperienced ministers are now working to implement those plans. The opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) has been marginalised not only by the continuing detention of its leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, but also because of the party?s unwillingness to participate in the constitutional convention now underway. Internal tensions within the armed forces, while undermining the government?s administrative capacity, provide no opportunity for the creation of political change..."