[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 50 (Monday, December 18, 2000)]
[Page 3094]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Release of Edmond Pope

December 14, 2000

    I welcome today's release of Edmond Pope after 8 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 hisbehalf.