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BBC
Thursday, 25 January, 2001, 11:59 GMT
Burmese opposition leader freed A leading figure in Burma's pro-democracy movement has been released after
four months' imprisonment in a military camp.
Tin Oo, the 74-year-old vice-chairman of the opposition National League for
Democracy, was detained in September with the group's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi,
and several other campaigners.
They had attempted to leave the capital Rangoon in order to meet supporters
in the countryside.
The release follows recent mediation between the military government and opposition, conducted by UN special envoy Razali Ismail. The other National League for Democracy members detained with Tin Oo have
also been freed - with the exception of Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under virtual
house arrest but is expected to be released soon.
In addition, 19 members of the league's youth wing are reported to have
been released.
However, it appears that Tin Oo is still under some restrictions, such as
being barred from receiving visitors.
BBC regional analyst Larry Jagan says Tin Oo's release is timed to impress
a European Union delegation that is due to arrive in Burma.
The delegation will examine the political situation and other issues
including the use of forced labour.
'Gesture of goodwill'
A National League for Democracy spokesman welcomed Tin Oo's release.
"We feel that this may be a gesture of goodwill ahead of the European Union
delegation's visit," he said. "We hope that more [releases] will follow."
In another sign of the easing of tension between the military and the
opposition, the state-controlled media recently stopped its vitriolic attacks on
Aung San Suu Kyi.
The National League for Democracy won an overwhelming 82% of the vote in
national elections in 1990, but the military refused to hand over power.
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