"Rangoon's Renaissance" by Doug Bandow (Cato Institute: Commentary)

"Rangoon's Renaissance" by Doug Bandow (Cato Institute: Commentary): "John Holmes, UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, opined: 'I'm not sure that invading Burma would be a very sensible option.' And the SPDC gradually opened the delta to Western aid even as it tried to profit from the international community's activities. Three months later Holmes reported that 'a much-feared second wave of deaths from starvation or disease has not happened.' He also said that 'This is now a normal international-relief operation.'

The Burmese military's turnaround led some NGOs to develop a 'strange new respect' for the SPDC. For instance, one unnamed UN program director told the New York Times that after the Burmese recognized they could not handle the disaster, 'they did a lot. A huge national response occurred.' Last October the International Crisis Group reported that developments since the storm

show that it is possible to work with the military regime on humanitarian issues. Communication between the government and international agencies has improved. Visas and travel permits today are easier and faster to get than before. Requirements for the launch of new aid projects have been eased. By and large, the authorities are making efforts to facilitate aid, including allowing a substantial role for civil society.

Since then the regime has become even more responsive (though not, of course, more democratic). Twice as many aid workers are now active in the delta as before Cyclone Nargis. A former Oxfam adviser on Burma opines: "The overall response of the government has been remarkable. They are 'getting it' more and more each day that they are involved in the recovery process." Frank Smithuis of Doctors Without Borders told the New York Times: "You can work here very well, and to say that you can't is a lie." Indeed, "the military at times has actually been quite helpful to us." "