Opposition Attempts to Clarify Aid Position

The Burmese opposition movement in exile on Friday attempted to counter what it called “misunderstandings” of its position on aid to Burma by issuing a policy paper stating that sanctions and humanitarian work can—and should—be used together.

The document, titled “Pro-Aid, Pro-Sanctions, Pro-Engagement,” comes at a time when the aid debate has become increasingly polarized following the withdrawal of Geneva-based Global Fund last year.

The author of the report, Yvette Mahon of Burma Campaign UK, says it was necessary for the 18 groups who back the paper—including US Campaign for Burma, the Ethnic Nationalities Council and the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma—to clarify their position. “For whatever reason, there has been this presumption that if you support sanctions you must be anti-aid,” she said.

It has been alleged that the exile movement and lobby groups, particularly those in the US, pressured Washington to push for Global Fund to pull out nearly US $100 million in funding for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

Numerous campaign groups, including Burma Campaign UK, have denied the allegation, while those claimed to be responsible—Republican Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, for one—have not responded despite requests to do so. Global Fund at the time said increasing government restrictions prompted its withdrawal.

The new report says that all humanitarian agencies operating in Burma must consider not only humanitarian factors, but also the political implications of their actions. It insists that those organizations attempting to deliver aid in Burma should—among other things—acknowledge that poor governance is the root cause of the current situation and that their programs be transparent and accountable.

The report also calls for agencies to consult with all stakeholders, including the National League for Democracy, while maintaining independence.

“We’re not looking to micro-manage the work of agencies inside, what we’re saying is we want mutual respect for the strategy of political pressure and humanitarian assistance,” Mahon said. “We want to support agencies in redoubling their efforts to meet the challenges that the situation in the environment poses for them.”

Former student leader and political prisoner Min Ko Naing responded to the paper on Friday by contending that it was impossible to essentially mix ideologies by calling for aid and sanctions, whether targeted or not.

“First of all, the government and democratic leaders—including the NLD—have to reach a certain agreement and then they together would invite donors,” he said. “Only after that can we talk about things like transparency and accountability.”

Min Ko Naing highlighted another aspect of the growing discord between the various stakeholders on Burma regarding humanitarian aid, saying that many agencies had recently met parties inside the country so that they could say they had consulted them before beginning operations. He made particular reference to the EU, which is currently preparing to launch its “3D Fund” to tackle HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB in Burma.

The exiled opposition in its new paper says it echoes the EU Common Position, which supports selective aid while also imposing a freeze on junta assets and a visa ban on top officials. The new report emphasizes though that both EU—and to an extent US—sanctions only have a limited impact on Burma.

One international aid official who wished to remain anonymous acknowledged that the report did accurately identify many of the obstacles in place in Burma—namely lack of freedom of movement, corruption and interference by the authorities—but it is “more lacking” in solutions, the official added.

“We maintain that Burma’s people are every bit deserving of humanitarian aid and development assistance as people anywhere else in the world. Sadly, the actions of the international community, responding to pressure from various opposition groups, have not reflected this inherent equality,” the official said. “We do not see anything in the new position paper that will dramatically improve this current state of affairs.”

Mahon admits that the paper is a reiteration of a longstanding position, adding that the exiled opposition is simply calling for “greater vigilance” from aid agencies, some of which “leave a lot to be desired,” she said.

The call for efforts to address the underlying causes of the humanitarian crisis in Burma were backed up by the author of a recent report on Burma’s health situation by the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health based in the US, who wished to remain anonymous.

The source stressed that John Hopkins does not oppose aid that is carefully considered and that addresses what it says are the root causes of the current crisis.