Yangon/Brussels, 9 September 2004: "International assistance to Myanmar?s Border Areas is needed to consolidate peace and lay the foundations for a more open, democratic system. Despite continuing state repression in Myanmar and widespread international unwillingness to deal directly with the regime, properly targeted developmental and humanitarian aid can and should be given to help a limited and particular part of the country. Myanmar: Aid to the Border Areas,* the latest report from the International Crisis Group, lays out in detail why the Border Areas are different and discusses how expanded international assistance could be implemented without strengthening the present government. "The international community has tended to disregard the needs of the Myanmar?s desperately poor ethnic minority communities", says Robert Templer, Asia Program Director at ICG. "Foreign aid for the Border Areas should be seen as complementary to diplomatic efforts to restore democracy." The remote, mountainous areas along the borders with Thailand, Laos, China, India and Bangladesh, largely populated by ethnic minorities, have long suffered from war and neglect, which have undermined development. Extreme poverty is widespread, though the area contains more than a third of the country?s population and most of its natural resources. The Border Areas also link to some of the world?s fastest growing economies. The prospects for Myanmar?s peace, prosperity and democracy are thus closely tied to the future of these regions. International assistance could also reduce refugee flows and the dangers from cross border threats such as the spread of drugs and AIDS, and environmental damage from deforestation. Much of the world has been reluctant to have any direct dealings with the regime. The political stalemate which has prevailed since the military suppression of the pro-democracy movement in 1988 continues unabated. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remains in custody, and there is no sign that the National Convention reconvened in May 2004 will produce any meaningful change. Without movement on these two fronts a comprehensive way forward that steers a course between sanctions and over-eager engagement will have few attractions for the international community. "But if it can overcome its distaste somewhat and at least agree to work with local authorities to a limited extent, the outside world can play a very positive, perhaps even catalytic, role inside this particular region of Myanmar", says Templer. "Although the linkages between peace, prosperity and democracy are complex, international help for the Border Areas provides an important organising principle and practical means for their realisation."