Jan 29, 2008 (DVB), Veteran journalist and long-term political prisoner U Win Tin is making a good recovery after an operation for a hernia, his friend U Maung Maung Khin told DVB.

U Win Tin underwent the operation between 8.45am and 10.15am on 26 January at Rangoon general hospital, U Maung Maung Khin said.

"It's good that they operated on him before it became too serious," he said, adding that the doctors had treated him well.

"He's fine now and is not in any pain, and he can walk and is eating properly."

U Win Tin, who has been detained by the military regime for 18 years, was taken from his cell in Insein prison to the hospital on 22 January.

He underwent a similar operation a few years ago.

Reporting by Naw Say Phaw