"The Burmese junta?s release of political prisoners could be little more than a well-worn ploy to ease international pressure and force the opposition to play along. The release of 168 political prisoners since talks between Burma?s ruling junta and the democratic opposition began late last year could ostensibly be seen as a positive development. Certainly, the released prisoners, who account for a small proportion of the estimated 2,000 political prisoners inside Burma?s ill-famed prisons, can consider themselves lucky. But are they really the beneficiaries of a dialogue process that remains shrouded in secrecy? While the world waits patiently for future breakthroughs, Burmese—especially former political prisoners—are beginning to discern a familiar pattern witnessed many times in the past. Judging from lessons learned during their more than decade-long struggle against military rule, few feel there is any reason to rejoice over the junta?s ?gestures of goodwill?..."