Snippets from an interesting/depressing article in the Globe and Mail:

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But her surprising burst of fame in the state media is far from a sign of progress, analysts say. Instead, it is the latest example of shrewd tactics by the military junta to delay reform and maintain its grip on power.
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Most analysts say the regime is still showing no willingness to accept reforms or offer concessions to the monks and dissidents. Meanwhile, international pressure is losing momentum and attention is shifting to new hot spots such as Pakistan.

After 45 years in power, Myanmar's military rulers have become adept at manipulating Ms. Suu Kyi for their own benefit, allowing her brief periods of freedom or short appearances in the public eye to defuse international criticism.

"Whenever the government is pushed into a corner, they always play the Aung San Suu Kyi card," said Aung Zaw, an exile from Myanmar who is editor of Irrawaddy, a Thailand-based magazine with close connections to Myanmar's democracy movement.

"They play it shrewdly and carefully," he said. "They've done this so many times in the past, and nothing ever happened. I don't see any progress at the moment. I don't think the government has changed any of its policies."
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A spokesman for Ms. Suu Kyi's party said she was "optimistic" about the prospects for dialogue with the regime. But human-rights groups noted that her meeting with her party leaders was confined to a government-controlled guest house, likely to be filled with eavesdropping devices. The Nobel laureate is still under house arrest, and the junta has insisted it will not negotiate with her unless she abandons her support for international sanctions against Myanmar.

The regime has remained hostile to most diplomatic efforts. The UN envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, was not permitted to meet any of the top military leaders in his latest visit to the country. The regime also angrily rejected his proposal for negotiations between Ms. Suu Kyi and the government under his mediation.
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"The generals aren't going to hand over power, no matter what others want," said Ian Storey, a fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore.

"The regime is still sitting pretty. They can circumvent the international sanctions by trading with their Asian neighbours. They're just waiting for the pressure to fizzle out and the attention to move on."

The regime's decision to allow Ms. Suu Kyi to meet the liaison minister and her party leaders last week was "something of a public relations exercise," Mr. Storey said. "I don't see this going anywhere. The government is doing the minimum necessary to assuage the international concern. They don't lose anything by doing this. I severely doubt it will lead to any breakthrough."

Myanmar is feeling no pressure from its Asian neighbours, which have been happily doing energy deals and weapons deals with the junta. At a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next week, Myanmar's officials will be permitted to attend and participate.