Tuesday, September 30, 2008

"Burma" or "Myanmar"? ASEAN rebukes junta

"Burma" to the pro-democracy camp (BBC)

Should it be Burma or Myanmar? WHO, WHAT, WHY? The Magazine answers...

Protest marches in Burma have entered a ninth day. But why is the country not known in the UK by its official name, Myanmar? The eyes of the world's media are focused on Rangoon, where tensions are rising in the streets, yet news organizations and nations differ in what they call the country. The ruling military junta changed its name from Burma to Myanmar in 1989, a year after thousands were killed in the suppression of a popular uprising. Rangoon also became Yangon. More>>

Asean delivers rare Burma rebuke

Asean is normally reluctant to criticize member states.

South East Asian nations have issued their strongest rebuke ever to Burma's military rulers, as their annual meeting opens in Singapore.

The Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) expressed "deep disappointment" at the detention of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. And the organization called for Burma's generals to hold "meaningful dialogue" with opposition figures.

Burma's rulers have shown few signs of opening up since joining Asean in 1997. More>>

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