That's the $64,000 question. Will Than Shwe - if and when he is succeeded - will he be replaced by someone more pragmatic and disposed to dialogue with the opposition?

The pattern of detaining, releasing and detaining Aung San Suu Kyi is symbolic of the one step forward, two steps back strategy the regime has perpetrated on the entire country.

We are not going to see the true colors of people until they come into power. Obviously there are people in the regime who are more business-minded and pragmatic. But you can't be open about having a moderate position. Any general who says 'I like dialogue' is basically someone who has a death wish.

It's clear that Than Shwe did not come out looking very good.

The proceeds will go toward the Gem City Days.

That's what it will take to move, but that's not even counting the estimated $500,000 it's going to cost to convert the station into a museum.