The United States says it will consider lifting sanctions against Burma if there is significant progress in talks between the military government and the opposition.

A report issued by the U.S. State Department notes what it calls "positive steps" taken since the talks began two years ago, including the release of 200 political prisoners. But it calls for the release of more than 1,000 other political prisoners still being held - and an end to the house arrest imposed on opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The United States and other mainly Western countries maintain a range of sanctions against Rangoon, accusing it of human rights abuses, the use of forced labor and involvement with narcotics trafficking. The Burmese government announced Wednesday it has released five more prisoners - at least four of them members of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy.

A top United Nations human rights envoy met earlier this week with leaders of the military to press for the release of more political prisoners. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, who is on a 10-day trip to Burma, also met with leaders of Burma's ethnic minorities - who are afraid the welfare of minority prisoners will be overlooked.

Mr. Pinheiro spoke Tuesday to members of the Shan, Chin, Mon, Rakhine and Karen ethnic groups.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.

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