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News from White House



White House Relieved Over Myanmar 
Friday, August 14, 1998; 10:51 a.m. EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Clinton administration expressed relief today at
reports that six Americans sentenced to five years of hard labor in Myanmar
for handing out pro-democracy leaflets will be deported. 

"While we're pleased that these American citizens will be returning to the
United States, this episode is a reminder that there is an absence of
protection of human rights in Burma and a failure of the Burmese government
to allow freedom of expression," White House press secretary Mike McCurry
said. 

Myanmar, also known as Burma, has been ruled by the military in various
guises since 1962. The six Americans were among 18 foreign activists
detained Sunday for handing out small cards to Myanmar citizens telling
them the outside world supported their struggle for democracy. The arrests
came one day after the 10th anniversary of a failed nationwide democracy
uprising. 

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