A excerpt from a briefing by State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley to journalists in Washington, DC:

The United States was deeply concerned to learn that the Government of Equatorial Guinea executed four individuals after a summary military tribunal on August 21st.

While we respect Equatorial Guinea's right to defend its national security, the trial failed to meet minimum international human rights guarantees. We are also disappointed in the 20-year jail sentences handed down by the same military tribunal to opposition party members Santiago Asumu Nguema and Marcelino Nguema Esono.

Both had previously been acquitted in a civilian court and were tried a second time for the same offense by this military tribunal. The Government of Equatorial Guinea must commit itself to upholding the rights guaranteed by its own constitution and its obligations under international human rights law.