Myanmar Releases Prisoners as U.S. Opens Diplomatic Initiative

Myanmar’s government began releasing hundreds of political prisoners yesterday after signing a cease-fire with the country’s largest armed rebel group, two conditions set by Western nations for lifting sanctions.

Those freed included pro-democracy activists, ethnic minority leaders and an ex-prime minister who fell out of favor with the former ruling junta, according to the Democratic Voice of Burma, an Internet news service run by exiles. They are among 651 prisoners included in a presidential pardon, the Associated Press reported.