"The State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), indistinguishable from an ordinary military junta, continued to dominate the political scene of Burma. It failed to recognize legitimate national elections during the year, continued its repression of the civil population, and, with one exception, did little to foster the growth and development of Burma?s mineral industry. The exception was the decision by SLORC to open certain areas of the country to petroleum exploration by foreign firms..."