However, because Burma is an awkward, recalcitrant, member this offer of help is made as bluntly and plainly as is diplomatically possible. Hence the abrupt language in ASEAN’s communication with Burma that, as was seen in Chapter2, has been interpreted by some as weakening the non-interference principle. However, non-interference would only be weakened if ASEAN members, or even the Secretariat, took control of the disaster response against Yangon’s wishes; it is in this respect that we should understand Pitsuwan’s emphasis on the non-politicised nature of ASEAN’s action.