NAYPYITAW, Myanmar, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Myanmar's reformist President Thein Sein Thursday granted amnesty to 452 prisoners, the state-run New Light of Myanmar reported.
The announcement came ahead of the scheduled visit of Barack Obama, who will become the first U.S. president to visit the Southeast Asian nation, which is currently led by the reformist civilian government of Thein Sein after decades of brutal military rule.
CNN, quoting the New Light, said those given amnesty included both citizens of Myanmar and foreigners. The foreigners would be extradited, the report said.
The report quoted Thein Sein as saying the amnesty, allowed under the Constitution and criminal code, was granted "on humanitarian grounds ... and for prolonging friendship with neighboring countries."
Since the new government took over last year, hundreds of prisoners, including political prisoners, have been released under its reform program, leading Western governments to ease their sanctions imposed when the junta was in power.
Obama is scheduled to visit Myanmar, formerly called Burma, over the weekend, CNN reported. The report, citing a White House blog, said Obama and Thein Sein in their talks would also likely discuss prisoners of conscience, political reforms, the rule of law, and peace and reconciliation. During his trip, Obama also planned to meet opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who earlier this year was awarded the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal.
