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Only 47 of an estimated 2,100 political prisoners are among those who have been freed in a mass amnesty in Burma.

The National League for Democracy, the banned political party of Aung San Suu Kyi, says 23 of its members were among the 47 activists released on Tuesday.

Reuters news agency reports that of the 14,600 people freed in total, most were common criminals.

Burma's new government insists there are no political prisoners in its jails.

But rights groups say hundreds of jailed politicians, students and activists have been convicted on trumped-up charges to justify their incarceration.

US diplomacy

The United States is sending a top diplomat to Burma for the highest-level US talks there since the junta's dissolution and the appointment of a nominally civilian government.

The deputy US assistant secretary for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Bureau, Joseph Yun, will be in Burma until May 21.

The US State Department says Mr Yun will hold introductory meetings with senior government officials and representatives of political parties, non-governmental organisations, ethnic minorities, and the business community.

AFP reports that an anonymous US official says Mr Yun will also try to meet Burmese democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who was released in November after spending most of the past 20 years under house arrest.

Her release came a few days after elections marred by accusations of cheating and intimidation.

In March, the military junta made way for a nominally civilian government after almost half a century in power.

Democracy plea

Ms Suu Kyi could be arrested again for recording a video message aimed at Australian Government ministers.

In the three-minute video, Ms Suu Kyi says there have been no real moves toward democracy in the 100 days or so since the Burmese junta held a national election, which was widely described as fraudulent.

The recording appears to have been made on a home video camera.

"We have not seen any positive, definite move towards a truly democratic process. I am particularly grateful to the members of the Australian Parliament," she said.

Ms Suu Kyi says if there was genuine democracy in Burma, all political prisoners would be released.

Supporters say she is risking rearrest by distributing the video.

Dr Sean Turnell of Macquarie University says she is a brave woman.

"I think she's trying to have an impact on the Australian Parliament and clearly on the Australian Government, but also to get out the message a little more broadly," he said.