Political inmates freed as Burma reforms progress

BURMA freed some of its most famous political inmates, sparking jubilation outside prison gates and signalling its readiness to meet Western demands for lifting economic sanctions.

Prominent political activists, leaders of brutally repressed democratic uprisings, a former prime minister, ethnic minority leaders, journalists and relatives of the former dictator Ne Win were among those released.

State media described the presidential pardon freeing 651 detainees as allowing them to take part in “nation-building”.

It was the latest in a flurry of accelerating changes in Burma sought by the West, including starting a dialogue with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, legalising labour unions and the signing of a ceasefire in a long-running campaign against Karen insurgents.

Burma likely now feels the ball is in the West’s court to lift the onerous economic measures.

But the US and allies may wait to see if government truces with various ethnic rebel groups hold, discussions with Suu Kyi move forward and scheduled April elections appear free and fair.

There has been a parade of top Western diplomats through Burma lately — US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in December and British Foreign Secretary William Hague last week.

Western nations conveyed they are encouraged by the reform process under President Thein Sein, but economic and political sanctions could not be lifted unless the prisoners were freed.

The various sanctions generally ban doing business with Burma, block financial transfers, especially by military-backed leaders and deny visas.

“I think we are close to the removal of Western sanctions,” said Monique Skidmore, an expert at the University of Canberra.

Thein Sein’s government, Suu Kyi and the West — with Washington its key representative — are involved in a complicated three-way give and take.

Thein Sein seeks to normalise relations with the West, which generally defers to Suu Kyi in judging the government’s goodwill and progress toward democracy.

Suu Kyi’s party seeks a more active role in politics if the government will allow a more level playing field. The re-entry of her National League for Democracy party into mainstream politics is the kind of endorsement the government needs to win Western approbation.