US envoy calls for prisoners' release in Myanmar

Envoy Derek Mitchell flew back to Myanmar this week after its leaders announced a prisoner amnesty, which initially raised hopes overseas but disappointed opposition leaders who sought the release of key dissidents.

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said one reason for Mitchell's visit was to seek "a true and accurate picture of exactly who's out and who is not out" following the amnesty.

"I have zero doubt that, at every stop, he made the point that we want to see all political prisoners released," Nuland told reporters.

Human rights groups say Myanmar, earlier known as Burma, has committed widespread abuses against ethnic minorities including mass rape and has around 2,000 political prisoners.

Myanmar's military leaders handed over to a nominally civilian government in March. While the opposition and the United States were skeptical about the move, some steps by new President Thein Sein have led to optimism.

The former general has opened talks with opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi and defied China, Myanmar's closest ally, by freezing work on an unpopular dam in a border area.

Mitchell, who was appointed in August and visited Myanmar the following month, met on his latest trip with Suu Kyi and Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin. Suu Kyi's associates said she met with Mitchell for one and a half hours.

Mitchell, speaking last week in Washington, said Myanmar was showing "encouraging signs" but its government must commit to deeper reforms and halt violence against minorities before the United States eases sanctions.

President Barack Obama's administration launched an engagement policy with Myanmar after taking office in 2009, concluding that an earlier focus on isolating the nation had failed.

Credit :Agence France-Presse