Myanmar's military regime is stubborn as a mule. It continues to ignore loud calls from much of the international community to democratize and protect human rights.
On the nonpolitical front, however, it is beginning to show signs of listening to what others say about reforming its ailing economy, although its commitment is still questionable.
In June, for example, the military regime, which refers to itself as the State Peace and Development Council, let the World Bank dispatch a fact-finding mission to Yangon to compile information for a report on the Myanmar economy.