myanmar--is aid a good idea?

I thought I would share a link to an interesting op-ed in the Washington Post that asks us to rethink the policy towards Myanmar and whether giving aid to Burma/Myanmar despite the obvious need is a good idea since in the past despite political preconditions, the extremely repressive adn corrupt regime has always managed to steal most of it and thus the international community would be essentially supporting this abusive and repressive regime. It criticizes the ICG report which offers some support for the position advanced by Myanmar at our MUN to normalise aid relations with Myanmar and end the sanctions and provide humanitarian assistance. Please check out both the op-ed and the link to ICG (international crisis group, another great resource for information). These provide good arguments and counter-arguments on this topic.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/26/AR2008102601763_pf.html

http://www.crisisgroup.org/library/documents/asia/burma_myanmar/161_burma_myanmar_after_nargis___time_to_normalise_aid_relations.pdf

Myanmar more is not a development country and 90% of it population lives under the poverty line. Since it independent, in the 1940's, Myanmar struugled to strength its economy. It is currently suffering from the devastation of the cyclone Nargis. And eventhough, E.U. U.S and the England are creating imorrals unilateral sanctions in myanmar.