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Statement by the President on Release of Edmond Pope (12/14/00)

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                              THE WHITE HOUSE

                       Office of the Press Secretary
                            (Coventry, England)
___________________________________________________________________________
                                  ______
                           For Immediate Release
                             December 14, 2000


                        STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT


     I welcome today's release of Edmond Pope after eight months of
detention in Russia and appreciate President Putin's decision to pardon Mr.
Pope.

     Mr. Pope's ordeal was unjustified.  It is fortunate that humanitarian
considerations prevailed in the end.

     I admire the impressive support Mr. Pope received from his wife and
family and from Congressman John Peterson of Pennsylvania and other Members
of Congress.  I commend their tireless efforts on his behalf.


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