W.H. Calls for Release of Political Prisoners in Myanmar
Yettaw was released after a visit to the country's reclusive military leader by Democratic Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia.
"The president is pleased that Senator Webb has facilitated the release of American citizen John Yettaw from detention," said a statement from White House spokesman Robert Gibbs. "He appreciates this decision by the Burmese government."
Yettaw, a 53-year-old former contractor from Missouri, was arrested in May after he tried to visit Suu Kyi, who has been held under house arrest for 14 of the last 20 years. Yettaw had been sentenced to seven years of hard labor, before he was released following Webb's visit.
The statement from the White House also notes the other parts of Webb's visit.
"The president also notes that in addition to meeting with head of state Than Shwe, Senator Webb was able to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi, the first meeting by a U.S. official with her for many years," the statement says. "We urge the Burmese leadership in this spirit to release all the political prisoners it is holding in detention or in house arrest, including Aung San Suu Kyi."
Following his visit, Webb called for further engagement with Myanmar's military regime and an easing of sanctions, the Associated Press reports.
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