The State Department says its use of the name “Myanmar” in a message marking the Southeast Asian nation’s Independence Day doesn’t reflect a change in US policy. Spokeswoman Marie Harf said on Monday the US government officially still refers to the country as Burma—the name ditched by the former ruling junta in 1989. US officials have agonized over which term to use as direct military rule has ended in Myanmar and relations have improved. Last year, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton used “Burma” in a statement to commemorate the nation’s Jan. 4 Independence Day. But her successor, John Kerry, this year used Myanmar instead. Harf said “in certain settings US government officials refer to the country as ‘Myanmar’ as a diplomatic courtesy.”—AP
Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang
Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army troops are opening roads and pathways through forests for people to flee Kokang’s capital as...
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