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Myanmar lifts tight restrictions

A curfew and a ban on assemblies are ended, a sign the post-protest crackdown is relaxing.

YANGON, Myanmar - Myanmar lifted a curfew on Saturday and ended a ban on assembly imposed during a deadly crackdown on pro-democracy protests - the latest sign the military rulers are confident they have fully crushed the largest demonstrations in two decades.

The White House dismissed the move as "cosmetic," a day after President Bush announced new penalties against the military-run government.

"The actions of the regime are cosmetic. What we need are signs of serious intent to move toward a democratic transition," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

The relaxing of restrictions imposed Sept. 25 was announced from government vehicles driven through the streets of Myanmar's largest city, Yangon.

"The curfew and ban on assembly has been revoked effective today, because security and stability has improved," according to the announcement issued from a speaker atop one of the vehicles.

It was not immediately clear if the restrictions were also lifted in Mandalay, another major city and a focus of last month's anti-government demonstrations.

The lifting of the 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew and ban on gatherings of more than five people indicates the junta believes it has stamped out the uprising that was sparked in August by public anger at a sharp rise in fuel prices.

Since the crackdown, authorities in Myanmar have attempted to apply a softer touch. They have cleared the streets of soldiers and released some prominent activists.

In Maryland, Perino urged the junta to enter talks with Aung San Suu Kyi, the detained opposition leader, and invite U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari to return. "What we need are signs of serious intent to move toward a democratic transition."

[Last modified October 21, 2007, 01:56:56]