Myanmar Tells Suu Kyi Not To Call Country 'Burma'

Authorities in Myanmar have told pro-democracy opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to refer to her country by its official name, not "Burma," as it was known before the military government requested a change in English-languages references it in 1989.

In a letter published in a Myanmar newspaper, the Election Commission told Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party to use the country's name “as prescribed in the constitution."

In several high-profile speeches during her just-completed European tour, Suu Kyi called the southeast Asian country Burma.

Opponents of the government and exile groups have persisted in referring to the country as Burma as a sign of protest.

The name Burma was given to the country by the British, who occupied it from 1826 to 1948.

Based on reporting by AP and dpa