US paves way for int'l financial institutions assistance to Burma

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a determination last week that it is in the national interest of the United States to support International Financial Institutions (IFIs) assistance to Burma, the State Department announced. The determination paves the way for the United States to support assistance to Burma through IFIs and to continue to support ongoing reform efforts, the announcement said. It will enable the United States to vote on assistance to Burma during the World Bank's board meetings in early November, the announcement made late on Thursday said. The determination will also provide the United States with "the ability to shape the policies and activities of the IFIs in a way that advances reform, good governance, transparency and accountability in Burma," the statement said. "The United States supports the Burmese government's ongoing reform efforts, and believes the IFIs have a critical role to play in helping promote stronger institutions to ensure sound economic policy and good governance in Burma."