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Myanmar releases political prisoners
Myanmar is praised for releasing political prisoners but United States and other allies hold off lifting political and economical sanctions until guarantees of permanent change are given.
Political prisoners are reunited with their family, friends and colleagues upon release by Myanmar government
Celebrations were sparked by the release of political prisoners in Myanmar and the government was commended by its former critics.
Washington responded with a diplomatic reward while pro-democracy activists celebrated being reunited with their freed comrades.
After two decades of shunning diplomatic relations with Myanmar, the US announced it would upgrade such relations since repressive policies were beginning to dwindle.
Around 651 detainees were released on Friday under a presidential pardon among which were political activists, a former prime minister, heads of ethnic minority groups and relatives of former dictator Ne Win.
This is among the latest in the series of changes taking place in Myanmar which included the signing of a long-awaited cease-fire against Karen insurgents.
The US said that while this was one of the first-steps toward rebuilding relations with Myanmar, they would still wait for economic and political sanctions imposed on Myanmar to be reviewed, until guarantees are given that the situation was changing for the better.
