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Washington greets release of US man from North Korea

Other News Materials 27 August 2010 09:29 (UTC +04:00)
The United States welcomed Friday's release by North Korea of a US man imprisoned in the communist country for illegal entry, dpa reported.
Washington greets release of US man from North Korea

The United States welcomed Friday's release by North Korea of a US man imprisoned in the communist country for illegal entry, dpa reported.

   Former US president Jimmy Carter left North Korea with Aijalon Mahli Gomes after a three-day trip there aimed at securing the release of Gomes, 30, who was arrested in January and sentenced to eight years of hard labour for entering North Korea from China without authorization.

   A statement by Philip Crowley, a spokesman for the US State Department, stressed that Carter's visit was a private one and was not suggested or arranged by the US government, which does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea.

   However, Crowley also greeted Gomes' release: "We appreciate former president Carter's humanitarian effort and welcome North Korea's decision to grant Mr Gomes special amnesty and allow him to return to the United States."

   Crowley said the US government agreed with Carter's decision to accept the release after determining that Gomes required immediate medical care in the United States.

   He did not release details about Gomes' health.

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