*EPF208 07/16/2002
Text: U.S. Welcomes Release of Tibetan Political Prisoner
(State Department July 16 statement) (310)

In a statement released July 16, the State Department welcomed China's release of Jigme Sangpo, Tibet's longest-serving political prisoner.

Jiqme Sanpo, who served a total of 35 years in prison for his beliefs, was released and permitted to travel to the United States for medical treatment. He arrived in Washington, D.C., July 13.

Following is the text of the State Department statement:

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U.S. Department of State
Office of the Spokesman
July 16, 2002

STATEMENT BY PHILIP T. REEKER, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN

Release of Tibetan Political Prisoner, Jigme Sangpo

On Saturday July 13, Jigme Sangpo, Tibet's longest-serving political prisoner, arrived in Washington, D.C. after Chinese authorities allowed him depart China for medical treatment. He had been serving a 28-year prison sentence on charges of counterrevolutionary propaganda and incitement when he was released on medical parole on March 31, nine years before the end of his sentence. Now in his 70s, Jigme Sanpo has spent a total of 35 years in prison between 1965 and 2002.

His release on medical parole and the recent permission for him to travel to the United States for medical treatment are the result of the active involvement of several Administrations, the Department of State and our diplomats posted in China, Congress, private Americans, and the community of non-governmental organizations. We welcome Jigme Sangpo's release and hope that there will be other releases of those detained for the peaceful expression of their political or religious views.


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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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