Saturday, August 15, 2009

Senator frees American in Burma

Senator wins release of US prisoner in Burma

U.S. Sen. Jim Webb meeting with Burma's detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon on Aug. 15, 2009 (AP/Office of Sen. Webb).

NYAYPIDAW, Burma - U.S. Senator Jim Webb (D - Va.) traveled to Burma. He met with its dictator (Gen. Than Shwe) and has succeeded in winning the release Saturday of American prisoner John Yettaw. Yettaw was convict-ed in Burma and sentenced to seven years in prison with hard labor for illegally swim-ming to the residence of de-tained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the senator's office said. More>>

PHOTOS: U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, a Virginia Democrat, and his wife, Hong Le Webb, pose for photo at the world-famous Shwedagon Pagoda, which houses the Buddha's relics on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in Rangoon, Burma (AP/Khin Maung Win). Monks and citizens during the Saffron Revolution peacefully petitioning for the Lady's safe release (Reuters).