Free political prisoners: UN Chief

UN: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging Myanmar's military government to follow up its recent prisoner release by freeing all political detainees and quickly resuming talks with the opposition without preconditions.

Ban said he is willing to return to Myanmar for talks with the government, including on political issues, but he said he must first discuss the timing and agenda with the government.

He said there should not be any preconditions to his visit, but he made clear that the international community wants to see significant steps by Myanmar's military junta toward national reconciliation and "full democratization."

UN Tuesday, AP