Burma: Let's offer aid, no strings attached

by Stephen Grenville - 14 May 2008 4:47PM

In this debate about Myanmar's reluctance to open itself up to outsiders, we may do better if we separate the offer of aid from the offer of aid experts. The latter have good intentions, but their own set of priorities, which may not coincide with those of the Burmese, either the regime or the people. Let's hear a good clear offer of aid in the form of emergency relief supplies, without the 'good governance' and administrative tail that comes as part of the package, and see whether this might be more acceptable. Sure, some of it will be misused, but how much basic relief material would be diverted to the leaders, who presumably already have all the tents and water purifiers they want?

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