What Price Neutrality?

For six years Burma was so neutral that it would take foreign aid grants from no one. In a surprising policy switch last month, the Government decided to take aid neutrally from all corners--and started off with a four-year pledge of $37 million from the U.S. for road and school construction. Last week, presenting his new budget, Finance Minister Kyaw Nyein showed how well the new-style fiscal neutrality works. Among expected revenues:

From the U.S. (first annual payment of ICA funds): $13,272,000.

From the Soviet Union: $4,879,000 in credits.

From the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development: $5,733,000.

From the Colombo Plan (British-and Commonwealth-backed, though Burma as a matter of fact has quit the Commonwealth): $483,000.

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