handing over the black boxes
Because some people think that the rebels were nice to hand over the FDR and CVR to the malayans, some background information might be prudent here.
First of all, shortly after the disaster, the rebels claimed to have found de CVR and FDR more than once, but it seemed that finally they got their hands on the right orange boxes.
Officially the Ukraine government should carry out the investigation. The rebels would never turn the CVR/FDR over to the government, obviously from pure distrust. No party would ever consider that an Ukraine investigation would be independent, even if it was. So the Ukraine transfered the investigation responsibility to the dutch, because they have the most victims and are certainly more neutral and considered a friendly EU nation.
The rebels only wanted to turn the CVR/FDR to Russia and let Russia do the investigation, simply because they trust their ally. However, Russia refused, because accepting the boxes and handing these over to the Dutch would make Russia vulnerable for accusations of manipulation of the boxes. Just like Ukraine, Russia, being a party in the conflict, is incredible as a lead investigator.
Malaysia, Australia and The Netherlands didn't want to go directly to the rebels because doing so would imply a legal status to the DNR or whatever they call themselves. The rebels wanted a public show for the transfer of the boxes, because it makes good propaganda. Malaysia considered the recovery of the CVR/FDR more important than the propaganda gain for the DNR.
It is however questionable, with the rebels who aim at close relations with Russia, and Ukraine goverment who aim at close relations with the EU, that an EU-country like The Netherlands, despite having a history of good relations with Russia, is considered a neutral authority by the rebels. A malaysian or IATA led investigation would not have that problem.