Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (“ESD”) Announces Distributions for the Months of September, October and November 2011

NEW YORK--()--Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (NYSE: ESD) today announced monthly distributions of $0.1100 per common share for September, October and November 2011.

The distribution schedule appears below:

                                       

Month

Ex-Date

Record Date

Payable Date

Amount

September 09/21/2011 09/23/2011 09/30/2011 $0.1100
October 10/19/2011 10/21/2011 10/28/2011 $0.1100
November 11/16/2011 11/18/2011 11/25/2011 $0.1100
 

Under the Fund’s managed distribution policy, the Fund seeks to maintain a consistent distribution level, stated as a fixed rate per common share per month, that may be paid in part or in full from net investment income and realized capital gains, or a combination thereof. Shareholders should note, however, that if the Fund’s aggregate net investment income and net realized capital gains are less than the amount of the distribution level, the difference will be distributed from the Fund's assets and will constitute a return of the shareholder’s capital. A return of capital is not taxable; rather it reduces a shareholder’s tax basis in his or her shares of the Fund.

The Board of Directors may reduce the Fund’s monthly distribution rate in the future or terminate or suspend the managed distribution policy at any time. Any such reduction in the monthly distribution rate, termination or suspension could have an adverse effect on the market price of the Fund's shares.

Based on the Fund's accounting records as of the date of this press release, the Fund estimates that approximately 87.77% of the cumulative fiscal year-to-date distributions through November 2011 are sourced from net investment income. And 12.23% are sourced from net realized capital gains. The estimated components of the distributions announced today will be provided to shareholders of record in a separate notice.

Please note that neither this press release nor the separate notice should be used for tax reporting purposes and that each is being provided to announce the amount and estimated source of the Fund's distributions that have been declared by the Board of Directors. In early 2012, after definitive information is available, the Fund will send shareholders a Form 1099-DIV, if applicable, specifying how the distributions paid by the Fund during the prior calendar year should be characterized for purposes of reporting the distributions on a shareholder’s tax return (e.g., ordinary income, long-term capital gain or return of capital).

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc., a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company is managed by Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc. and is sub-advised by Western Asset Management Company, an affiliate of the investment manager.

Contact the Fund at 1-888-777-0102 for additional information, or consult the Fund’s web site at www.leggmason.com/cef.

Data and commentary provided in this press release are for informational purposes only. Legg Mason and its affiliates do not engage in selling shares of the Fund.

Contacts

Legg Mason & Co., LLC
Brenda Grandell, 212-857-8087
Director, Closed-End Funds

Contacts

Legg Mason & Co., LLC
Brenda Grandell, 212-857-8087
Director, Closed-End Funds