After the transition in Taiwan to democracy, name rectification became a topic of discussion here. But in the case of Burma, the transition ran in the other direction. So the question is, if a junta, rather than a democratic government, engages in name rectification, should foreigners legitimize the new official names by accepting them?
Some thoughts by James Fallows at The Atlantic.
It’s Myanmar, a reader objects
Confusion in the media re: Burma / Myanmar
UPDATE (Sep 30/07): Yesterday’s China Post also featured a story on this subject:
"The democratically elected but never convened Parliament of 1990 does not recognize the name change, and the democratic opposition continues to use the name ‘Burma.’ Due to consistent support for the democratically elected leaders, the U.S. government likewise uses ‘Burma,’" the State Department Web site says.
UPDATE #2: Over at The Corner, Jonah Goldberg had a thought:
Wouldn’t it be smart for everyone [in Burma] to wear monk robes and, I suppose, shave their heads? The images would have enormous impact, the troops wouldn’t know who is and who isn’t a monk, and it would give a thrilling "I am Spartacus!" narrative twist to the uprising.
Free Burma!
International Bloggers’ Day for Burma on the 4th of October
International bloggers are preparing an action to support the peaceful revolution in Burma. We want to set a sign for freedom and show our sympathy for these people who are fighting their cruel regime without weapons. These Bloggers are planning to refrain from posting to their blogs on October 4 and just put up one Banner then, underlined with the words „Free Burma!“.
http://www.free-burma.org
*
*
Done. Though I couldn’t resist writing a short post about the subject as well.
http://foreignerinformosa.typepad.com/the_foreigner_in_formosa/2007/10/freedoms-martyr.html