" ...now they trying to keep out the accumulated corruption of foreign aid agencies and empower their people to help themselves, rather than become dependent on aid like most of africa."

Is this a joke? Since when did the rulers of Burma try to empower their people? Imprison them, rape them, murder them, steal from them, sure, but empower? Right now the rulers are cashing in on the cyclone by selling roofing materials and food at inflated prices. That could be called "empowerment" if you believe that the cut-throat, no holds barred, criminal capitalism as practised by the thugs in charge of Burma is "empowering". I suppose it is in a "survival of the fittest" sort of way.

By the way, most Africans aren't dependent on aid, they take care of themselves.

Sam Buchanan