[bug#81040] [PATCH] dist: introduce AM_OPTIONAL_AUTOMAKE for best-effort dist-XXX archives.

    Firstly, there is a stray `exit 44'. 

Oops, sorry. One of my debugging tactics that I failed to revert before
sending.

    Secondly, the NEWS hunk has stray whitespace.

Sorry again, I didn't notice. (I hate the pogrom against trailing
whitespace, but I know that battle has been lost.)

    The attached patch, I believe, fixes all of the issues.

Thanks much. I will look at it within the next couple/few days. Out of
time for right now. --best, karl.