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The SLORC started restructuring itself into the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) on November 15,1997, announcing a series of notifications: No. 1/97, 2/97, 3/97. Burma watchers have offered different opinions about what the changes really mean. In fact, the military always makes superficial changes whenever it faces a political crisis. Over the past 35 years, the military junta has changed the name of country three times, changed the constitution twice and has adopted four different names for its ruling body — the latest being the SPDC. Now the military junta has again changed its name and changed some positions, but there has been no move toward the much-needed democratisation process. Also, the military junta could not yet come up with an appropriate strategy in the areas of politics, economics, social welfare and education. As there has yet been no clear policy explanation in the notifications, the junta does not seem to have considered or even recognized the current demanding issues in Burma; in particular, national reconciliation, democracy, human rights, and tripartite dialogue. As the change is only one in name, the transformation from the SLORC to the SPDC should be considered as the same as the previous change from the BSPP to the SLORC. Like the Burmese saying, no matter how many times a snake sloughs off its skin, it is still the same (poisonous). Moreover, the change did not come about as the result of a legal process and the SPDC has no more legitimacy than the SLORC did. Therefore, we are not pleased with the latest transformation. Why did the SLORC change? It is necessary to question why the SLORC changed its name to the SPDC. The junta has been facing a serious crisis and the possibility of a general uprising. There are three main reasons for the change, namely: 1. Economic crisis in the country 2. Discrepancy among the military factions. 3. International pressure Economic crisis in the country Obviously, the current economic woes have an impact even on the military itself as well as the general public. Prices of basic necessary foodstuffs such as rice, cooking oil, chili, onion, garlic, beans, etc... are skyrocketing. Also the price of meat, including chicken, beef, pork has also increased incredibly up to round about 500- 600 kyats per viss (1.53 kg). One viss of prawns is now 3,000 kyats. Shortages of petrol and electricity in the country have resulted in rising petrol prices. For example, a gallon of gasoline now costs 180 kyat in Rangoon and Mandalay, and it is not available as necessary in the rest of the country. A normal truck can get only two gallons of petrol a week. Consequently the transportation of commodities from one place to another has decreased. The monthly salary of government employees is 1,500 kyat per month maximum. Every month, they have to repay 500 kyats for the government loans which they were forced to take last year. Also, 200 kyat is cut for rice rations. Moreover, other taxes are deducted for so many reasons such as social welfare, electricity, water supply, house rental, fire brigade, entertainment, religious ceremonies, horse parades and boat racing ceremonies, and finally they are usually left with only 6-7 kyats in hand. They have no money for health care and education for their children, and they are hardly surviving with rice in the amount of 200 kyat. Unfortunately, the widespread destruction of rice fields following the recent floods in Mon State, Irrawaddy division, Arakan State, Karen State and Pegu division will lead to the shortage of food in the very near future. The problem of currency inflation is also getting much worse, and it is because of the military’s unlimited printing of kyat notes, laundering money from the drug trade, and the uncontrollable circulation of counterfeit kyats. One dollar is now equivalent to almost 300 kyat and the kyat is expected to drop even further in the future. Because of the serious instability of the kyat, business people have lost faith in it. As a result, the prices of land, housing, and gold have risen dramatically. For example, the price of land in Golden Valley in Rangoon is almost as high as became almost similar to that of Mac Helton in the US. Rental charges for opening offices are now US $1,000 to $2,000 per room. As the 1996 “Visit Myanmar Year” campaign failed, hotels are left with many empty rooms. In one recent check at the Traders Hotel, only 10 rooms out of 400 were occupied. There were only a few visitors at the Novotel as well. Two months ago, 500 employees, including nine foreigners, from the hotel business were let go. The unemployment rate has increased and almost one million Burmese workers have crossed into Thailand to find jobs. Universities have been shut down for one year already, causing the anti-government sentiments of the students to grow more and more.