11.   A spokesman for the U.S. state department said the United States welcomes the release of two political prisoners but noted many more remain in Indonesian jails.

12.   Australia, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia also welcomed the release, calling it a positive step in the political reconciliation process.

13.   British Prime Minister Tony Blair welcomed the release.

14.   Clinton welcomes prisoner release, refuses to halt NATO strikes.

15.   European countries welcomed the release but were cautious about the future.

16.   Family and friends of freed activist Harry Wu welcomed his release from China today, and suggested Wu may continue his work uncovering alleged human rights abuses there.

17.   Gov. Chris Patten welcomes the release of a Hong Kong newspaperman jailed in China.

18.   In a statement faxed to The Associated Press, the Cairo-based Regional Program for Human Rights said it welcomed the release of el-Toukhy.

19.   In New York, the Committee to Protect Journalists welcomed their release and called on the rebels to guarantee the safety of journalists reporting in the restive territory.

20.   Jordan welcomed the release, but Prime Minister Abdul-Salam Majali expressed surprise that the kingdom was not notified in advance.