Governor Bill Richardson and the Richardson Center are excited for the release and return of Princeton student Xiyue Wang from Iran. Governor Richardson has been working for more than 20 months on behalf of his wife Hua Qu to secure Wang’s release. The Richardson Center also worked closely with former Congressman Jim Slattery.
In the course of these negotiations, Governor Richardson met with Iranian officials regularly, including Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and Ambassador Majid Ravanchi at the United Nations, and the White House National Security Council, the Department of Justice, and the Department of State, in order to set the terms of Wang’s release – an effort that came into fruition over the last two months.
“It’s been over three years, but we are thankful and relieved that Xiyue Wang will finally be returning to his home and family,” said Governor Bill Richardson. “As is often the case, there’s been an entire team behind the scenes working steadily and quietly to free Xiyue Wang. There are more American and international prisoners in Iran, such as Bob Levinson and Michael White, whose families are awaiting their safe return. I hope this is the first of many humanitarian gestures.”
Securing Wang’s release involved multifaceted efforts and negotiations, relying on personal relations and respect. Governor Richardson and the Richardson Center want to thank the Qatari Government for their partnership in helping secure the release of the wrongfully detained. The Qataris efforts, and those of others, often goes understated and thus less known to the American public.
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