News Releases for May 2009
May 6, 2009
For further information, please Contact the Governor's Office
Hoeven Meets with State Department Officials in Washington, D.C. About Roxana Saberi
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today met with U.S. State Department officials in Washington, D.C. and again expressed his concern about the well being of Roxana Saberi, a native North Dakotan who is being held in an Iranian prison on a charge of espionage. Hoeven spoke late Tuesday with Todd Schwartz, Director of the State Department's Office of Iranian Affairs, and also Michelle Bernier-Toth, director of the Office of American Citizens Services at the U.S. Department of State.
"We repeated our concerns to Director Schwartz and Director Bernier-Toth regarding Roxana's health in light of her hunger strike and reported hospitalization, and we again expressed our desire to help in any way possible. They assured us that the State Department is doing all it can to secure her release and ensure her well being. We continue to join with all North Dakotans and all Americans in calling on Iranian authorities for her immediate release.
"At the state level we will continue to do whatever we can to provide support for Roxana and her family, and we appeal to the President and the State Department to use all and any reasonable influence to help restore Roxana Saberi to her family and her homeland."
E-mail comments to the Governor