It's not often I come across apparently good news relating to Burma that doesn't make me think, "Hmm...well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see...". Burma being added to the UN Security Council Agenda? Well, we'll just have to wait and see what happens when the paper tiger roars. ASEAN rebukes junta? Yeah, well, we'll just have to wait and see how that goes.

But, the recent news that the US Secretary of State has waived application of the material support clause to ethnic Chin refugees? Well, that's great news. I won't stand up and praise the government for undoing something that should have never been done, but I am unreservedly happy for Chin people all over Asia. This most recent waiver seems to have come about after the visit of the Assistant Secretary of State Ellen Sauerbrey's visit to Southeast Asia in August to review the refugee situation. While the US government pats itself on the back for it's commitment to "freedom and human dignity", we should give credit where credit is due - to the hardworking lawyers, human rights professionals, activists and citizens around the world who have been struggling to clean up after and change the mess that this administration created in its effort to label anything that moves or talks funny a terrorist. I'm sure there's a few people in Malaysia who would want to shake your hand right now, Tyler Giannini.

What this means now is that the UNHCR will be able to resume its normal registration process for Chin people in Malaysia, and that the IOM will also be able to get involved in the registration and resettlement process to bring Chin people to the U.S. There have been reports/rumors that the U.S. is looking to resettle a sizable group of Chin refugees, but there is no particular reason to think that this waiver will do anything to improve the already cumbrous and drawn out application process for refugee status and resettlement. There are many many refugees from Burma who are not Chin or Karen, but who face the same circumstances and are equally in need. There are also many Chin refugees in India and Bangladesh who the UNHCR is not reccommending or processing for resettlement, and who will gain little from this.

The waiver may also be cold comfort for the 500 Chin people who have recently been arrested by Malaysian authorities.

There I go again qualifying my good news with cynicism. I'm not sure why the US government seems intent on meting out waivers peicemeal to specific ethnic groups, and I am tyring my best not to think that they are giving preference to those groups that are predominately Christian. But we should all take a moment to appreciate the good news and the hope that it will bring to many Chin people.

Since the Department of State has waived the application of the material support provision to refugees in Thailand's Tham Hin refugee camp, the first group has already begun resettlement here in the U.S.

The U.S. is planning on eventually accepting 9000 refugees from the camp, one of the most crowded and beleugered in Thailand, this year. At least 80 of them will be arriving soon here in Portland, OR. Catholic Charities is managing the resettlement process here in Portland, but they are still waiting on word of when their actual arrival date will be.

Odds are many of them will arrive with little more than a suitcase full of clothes which will quickly prove inadequate for a wet northwestern winter. Although, more than a few refugees have left Malaysia with suitcases weighed down with precious packets of laphet thok, which might help take the edge off the dreariness. If you're in the area and would like to help by donating clothes, food, furniture, or school supplies, or volunteering, you can contact the Catholic Charities office at (503) 231-4866.