Why does CNN refer to Burma as Myanmar, yet Bush speaks in condemnation of the militant regime...?

Question

that named it so? and additionally, he specifically mentions the "outrage of the american people"! True. We are so outraged, why doesn't CNN cover minute by minute the horror that the people are living right now in Burma while militia breaks lawlessly into homes and acts totally unchecked against people who are sacrificing their lives so the rest of the world can see what it means to have no freedom to protest. And it's not on TV!!

I suspect that the part about the official condemnation that may cause Bush to say one thing and do nothing, is that the assets of the "generals" have been frozen world-wide. Good. I almost applauded the man and thought I might have been wrong about him.

Now I get the impression that he has either been told to back down and change that condemnation, or he will just simply "propagandate" but do nothing. These frozen accounts belong to the people of Burma.

What is the latest on what's happening in Burma? Does anyone out there know?

Answer 1

The British called Burma by the name Burma. The Burmese call the country Myanmar and changed the name back a number of years ago.

CNN and the other media have problems covering the demonstrations and other activities because the foreign media is not allowed into Myanmar. What you see are images shot by tourists or locals who have smuggled the images out. Occasionally some media go into the country not mentioning what their occupation is.

The US are strong supporters of the Right-wing Dictatorship in Myanmar, and despite what Bush and others are saying, they are doing just the opposite.

Answer 2

The latest is after 45 years and one peaceful revolution (1988) brutally oppressed killing 3000 people later another peaceful revolution has sprung up. The "government" has used it's same old tactics of beating, arresting and shooting at protesters.

So far at least 9 people have been killed and hundreds beaten and arrested. There has also been looting and ransacking by the military (i.e. stealing gold from the Buddhist temples and breaking artistic images).

I worry about the fate of those arrested as many will probably be mistreated by torture and rape.

I too hope these generals get their world assets frozen and people will stop calling Burma Myanmar. If you feel so called I am encouraging everyone who has a heart for this issue to call their congressmen and women and ask them to do everything in their power short of military intrevention to gain justice for these long oppressed and gentle people.

Answer 3

There are Total oil company, British timber companies, Australian mining companies and oil companies working in Myanmar ( Burma ).
When US stopped Banks transactions, Euro dollar was allowed to be used via Singaporean banks.
Burma now under military rule would be perfect for US and CIA op if it was two decades ago.
But the world is changing fast with globalization.
It seems China and Russia are emerging again as global powers.
I do not mind Burma or Myanmar whichever is.
Ba sounds better than Mya anyway.
Thanks for the world's attention but people inside are now so lost.
One thing they now know is that they cannot depend upon US and UN for their freedom.
They all are quite distressed today.

Why? the superior generals do not come out publicly and apologize to our monks?

majority do not want to go out and protest but all are depressed with how their revered monks were treated.

In Buddhism even an enemy under monk robe shall not be attacked.

Answer 4

Detailed news coverage of the events that are now happening in Burma is a problem. The ruling military junta in Burma had imposed a total news blackout throughout the nation. Foreign journalists are banned from entering the country. So, news agencies like CNN and BBC can only give tidbits of information, as their journalists had to do their reporting from Bangkok and other neighboring places outside of Burma. The Burmese government had also cut-off all telephone and internet connections, shut-down radio and TV stations, except for the government controlled ones, which only broadcast the government version of the events. So foreign journalists are relying on news accounts, pictures, videos from local citizens who manage to smuggle these items by crossing the Thai-Burmese border.

As for your question on why CNN refer to Burma as Myanmar, it is because the Burmese government had changed the nation's official name to Myanmar (this name had been adopted since the early 80's). Also, all of the current maps of Asia use the name Myanmar (instead of Burma), in the same way that Cambodia is now listed as Kampuchea, Ceylon is now listed as Sri-Lanka, China's capital Peking is now listed as Beijing.

I also agree with your opinion. I myself, had been very critical of Bush's policies towards Iraq, Iran and the entire Middle-East. But on this particular case for Burma, I fully support him. However, I am skeptical of the economic sanctions on Burma, as I see them innefective. The US had imposed sanctions on Burma in 1997, but these had never changed the Burmese political situation at all. I will support US military action against the Burmese dictatorship, but I doubt that Bush will pursue such action, as the use of US military force had already been heavily criticized especially with the carnage that's happening now in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the likelihood of an armed confrontation with Iran. I'm sure that the American public opinion will further be divided on such military action against Burma.

Answer 5

The United State has never recognized the name change from Burma to Myanmar. Neither has the United Kingdom. The name change was made just after a military junta overthrew the government. That same junta rules today.
The western TV news operations have difficulty in covering day-to-day doings in Rangoon for one simple reason: the junta won't let them in to do any coverage! If you want to keep up, let me suggest you go to the link below and check it often. It's the web site for the BBC World Service.

Answer 6

I thank Bush for his actions but they are not helping the people and generals are getting richer everyday and do not care about sanctions. They have Singapore, China, Thailand, Russia and many other nations to visit and do shopping. They keep their wealth in diamonds , gold and cash. Many of their kids are in US and Uk already.