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                      Syria Releases American Photographer

   by Joshua Fatzick

   The Syrian government released an American freelance photographer who
   had been abducted while traveling in the country in 2012, a United
   States Department of State official confirmed Friday.

   "We can confirm and welcome the news that a U.S. citizen was released
   by Syrian authorities," State Department spokesman John Kirby told
   Voice of America. "The United States continues to work through every
   possible means to ensure the safe release of U.S. citizens reported
   missing or taken in Syria."

   ''''Kevin Dawes was released after months of negotiations between the
   U.S. and Syria that culminated in the last few days.

   ''Dawes was abducted after he crossed from Turkey into Syria.

   In recent months, Dawes has been allowed to speak with his family
   during phone calls and receive care packages from home, which signaled
   to U.S. officials that Syria would likely release him.

   Another man, freelance journalist Austin Tice, is still missing in
   Syria. Tice went missing in northern Syria on August 12 2012.

   The Syrian government has never admitted to imprisoning Tice, but it is
   widely believed that the government or an affiliated group is holding
   him.

   Private security consultants who have been working on Tice's case take
   today's release of Kevin Patrick Dawes as a good omen.

   The Syrian regime has never publicly acknowledged holding Tice, a
   former U.S. Marine, but in recent weeks negotiations have been underway
   for his release involving third parties and the Russians, a consultant
   told VOA.

   The consultant asked not to be named as the talks are highly
   confidential and are entering a critical stage.

   According to the consultant, proof that Tice remains alive was recently
   supplied.

   VOA State Department Correspondent Pamela Dockins and Jamie Dettmer
   contributed to this report.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/syria-releases-american-photographer-
   kevin-dawes/3276666.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/syria-releases-american-photographer-kevin-dawes/3276666.html