It is too soon to tell whether the release of U Tin Oo, deputy leader of the Burmese opposition party led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, after the completion of his seven year prison sentence is of any particular importance beyond that of a government recognizing a completed prison sentence. Tin Oo, 82, had been in prison since a motorcade in which he was riding along with Suu Kyi was attacked by a pro-government mob in what some supporters say was an assassination attempt. Tin Oo said that he has been warned by the government not to engage in any activities that might endanger the state, which, if nothing else, should increase our respect for the human spirit as an 82-year-old man who can present a danger to any government is something to behold. At the very least, the release of Tin Oo is a recognition of the rule of law in Myanmar by a military junta that has shown little respect for the law since it prevented Tin Oo and Suu Kyi's party from assuming leadership of the country in 1988 after winning the last freely conducted election there. The release also came just weeks before a visit from the UN's envoy to the country, which could indicate a willingness on the part of the junta to recognize the power and legitimacy of the UN. Still to be learned, however, is whether the junta will recognize the legitimacy of the political party, the National League for Democracy, and allow it to run in elections that the junta has promised to hold this year. More importantly, there remains no indication that the military will release Suu Kyi and allow her to run in the elections, so frightened of her power the government appears to be. While Tin Oo's release is certainly something to happy about, only time will tell if it means that the government of Myanmar is ready to return governing powers to the people after nearly five decades of destroying the country's economy, educational system and standard of living. __
