Burmese opposition leader freed

Tin Oo was detained last September

A leading figure in Burma's pro-democracy movement has been released after four months' imprisonment in a military camp.

Tin Oo, the 74-year-old vice-chairman of the opposition National League for Democracy, was detained in September with the group's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and several other campaigners.

Generals "want to impress EU delegation"

They had attempted to leave the capital Rangoon in order to meet supporters in the countryside.

The release follows recent mediation between the military government and opposition, conducted by UN special envoy Razali Ismail.

The other National League for Democracy members detained with Tin Oo have also been freed - with the exception of Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under virtual house arrest but is expected to be released soon.

In addition, 19 members of the league's youth wing are reported to have been released.

There are hopes Aung San Suu Kyi may also be freed

However, it appears that Tin Oo is still under some restrictions, such as being barred from receiving visitors.

BBC regional analyst Larry Jagan says Tin Oo's release is timed to impress a European Union delegation that is due to arrive in Burma.

The delegation will examine the political situation and other issues including the use of forced labour.

'Gesture of goodwill'

A National League for Democracy spokesman welcomed Tin Oo's release.

"We feel that this may be a gesture of goodwill ahead of the European Union delegation's visit," he said. "We hope that more [releases] will follow."

In another sign of the easing of tension between the military and the opposition, the state-controlled media recently stopped its vitriolic attacks on Aung San Suu Kyi.

The National League for Democracy won an overwhelming 82% of the vote in national elections in 1990, but the military refused to hand over power.