Two Burmese activists released

The military government in Burma has released two opposition activists from detention, including a cousin of the opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

The two people freed - Nge Ma Ma and her husband, Myint Swe - were sentenced to 10 years in prison in 1997 for attempting to smuggle a videotape of speeches by Aung San Suu Kyi out of the country.

The military has already released more than 150 detainees this year, in what correspondents say appears to be a sign of progress in negotiations between the regime and the democratic opposition.

However, human rights groups say the Burmese authorities still have at least 1,500 opposition activists in detention. The Japanese Foreign Minister, Makiko Tanaka, has meanwhile called for further releases during talks with her Burmese counterpart Win Aung, in Hanoi, where both have been attending a regional conference.

Japan decided earlier this year to resume aid to Burma following the resumption of talks between the government and opposition.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service