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The Nation(26-11-99)



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<b>Media chided for calling Burma names<br>
</b><font face="arial">THE first subject Burmese Foreign Minister U Win
Aung broached after agreeing to talk to a few Thai reporters yesterday
was the long-standing complaint about the media's reference to his
country as ''Burma'' instead of ''Myanmar''. <br>
Win Aung said the persistent use of the name ''Burma'' by two English
language dailies in Thailand, The Nation and Bangkok Post created
confusion among the younger generation. <br>
The soft-spoken minister, who succeeded U Ohn Gyaw a year ago, politely
explained that the name Burma, which was changed in 1989, no longer
exists as a geographical reference. <br>
''The name 'Myanmar' has been adopted by all internationally; you will
find 'Myanmar' in international maps and the world atlas,'' he said,
during a two-hour transit stop in Bangkok. <br>
Win Aung said Myanmar is the original name of his country, going back to
the 6th century AD when it had no kingdoms. A group of people who
inhabited the land used to call themselves ''Myanmar''. <br>
Unlike other Burmese leaders who also used to complain about the media's
use of ''Burma'', Aung Win tried to explain the meaning of ''Myanmar''.
<br>
'''Myan' means fast, while 'Mar' means strong. 'Burma' means nothing,''
he said. <br>
He added that the same goes for the name of the country's capital.
''Yangon was a town and the name means 'end of hostilities'. 'Rangoon'
means nothing,'' he said. <br>
Win Aung said he understood that this may be the policy of the media, but
said he would like his request to be noted. <br>
The Nation<br>
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