Two US Journalists pardoned

[DragnFly]

 

North Korea: 2 US journalists pardoned

 

 

 

By JEAN H. LEE (AP) 22 minutes ago

 

 

 

SEOUL, South Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong Il issued a "special pardon" for two American journalists and ordered their release at former U.S. President Bill Clinton's request, North Korean media reported Wednesday.

 

 

 

The move to release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee, sentenced in June to 12 years of hard labor, reflected North Korea's "humanitarian and peaceloving policy," the Korean Central News Agency said in a dispatch from Pyongyang early Wednesday.

 

 

 

Clinton landed in the North Korean capital on Tuesday on a quiet mission to negotiate the freedom of the two women working for former Vice President Al Gore's Current TV media venture. During his visit, he held rare talks with Kim the reclusive North Korean leader's first meeting with a prominent Western figure since reportedly suffering a stroke a year ago.

 

 

 

The KNCA report said Clinton visit was ending Wednesday but left unclear if he had yet left.

 

 

 

Lee, 36, and Ling, 32, were arrested in March after crossing into North Korea from China, where they had been reporting on North Korean defectors. They were sentenced to 12 years of hard labor for illegal entry and engaging in "hostile acts."

 

 

 

Washington had pushed for their release, with Clinton's wife, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, requesting they be granted amnesty.

 

 

 

State media said Clinton apologized on behalf of the women and relayed President Barack Obama's gratitude. The report said the visit would "contribute to deepening the understanding" between North Korea and the U.S.

 

 

 

Earlier, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs denied Clinton went with a message from Obama.

 

 

 

The two nations fought against one another during the 1950-53 Korean War, and do not have diplomatic relations.

 

 

 

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

Sources: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... gD99S9AHG0

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8184583.stm

 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32277010/ns ... ?GT1=43001

 

 

 

I am abit surprised to hear the news, considering some of North Korea's more hostile actions as of late. Nonetheless its good to see two journalist have been peacefully pardoned and freed.

 

 

 

Good job, Mr. Clinton.

[Dragoon5464]

I'm glad to see this was worked out without international incident (it would seem). Now, let's just get Clinton to hop a plane over to Iran and talk about the hikers there... :wall:

[darkace21]

I was happy to hear that we were able to solve this without bloodshed.

 

 

 

We don't want to fight other countries, peace is a better option.

[mmmcannibalism]

Kind of surprising Clinton went over, but its obvious (imo) Korea is doing this to bluff willingness to work with the international community.

[ember3579]

Kind of surprising Clinton went over, but its obvious (imo) Korea is doing this to bluff willingness to work with the international community.

 

 

 

 

 

That's probably one of the reasons they gave them up, yes. But they forfeited a HUGE moral bargaining chip that could have been used to give them time on nuclear development. The fact that Bill somehow brought that about is undeniable. Hopefully, Fox and it's bastard children can't find some way to spin this against Obama or some other craziness, but I'm glad it happened nonetheless.

[magekillr]

Kind of surprising Clinton went over, but its obvious (imo) Korea is doing this to bluff willingness to work with the international community.

 

 

 

Maybe, but I doubt it. As stated above, this would have been a huge bargaining chip for Korea. My guess is that this was done for a few reasons:

 

 

 

1.) Obama's administration has been talking to Korea for a long time about it, and about their program.

 

2.) Kim Jong was able to show he still is in control of his country.

 

3.) Kim Jong recently had a stroke, and wanted to show he's still in "good enough health to rule the country."

 

 

 

I think it might be a little bit of what you said, but if it was, it was a minor part.

 

 

 

Obama is [cabbage]ting about saying they had nothing to do with it. Clinton wouldn't have gone over there if there wasn't already a deal in place; it would have made the admin look foolish. He sent Clinton over there and said they had nothing to do with it so they wouldn't be attacked about giving Korea legitimacy.

 

 

 

And about FOX et al spinning it, too late:

 

 

 

I think this is a very bad signal because it does exactly what we always try and avoid doing with terrorists, or with rogue states in general, and that's encouraging their bad behavior.

 

 

 

That's a Neo-Conservative for you. And it's exactly why Obama sent Clinton instead of going himself.

 

 

 

These people aren't happy unless you have tanks and armies storming other countries' shores.

[mmmcannibalism]

Kind of surprising Clinton went over, but its obvious (imo) Korea is doing this to bluff willingness to work with the international community.

 

 

 

Maybe, but I doubt it. As stated above, this would have been a huge bargaining chip for Korea. My guess is that this was done for a few reasons:

 

 

 

1.) Obama's administration has been talking to Korea for a long time about it, and about their program.

 

2.) Kim Jong was able to show he still is in control of his country.

 

3.) Kim Jong recently had a stroke, and wanted to show he's still in "good enough health to rule the country."

 

 

 

I think it might be a little bit of what you said, but if it was, it was a minor part.

 

 

 

Obama is [cabbage] about saying they had nothing to do with it. Clinton wouldn't have gone over there if there wasn't already a deal in place; it would have made the admin look foolish. He sent Clinton over there and said they had nothing to do with it so they wouldn't be attacked about giving Korea legitimacy.

 

 

 

And about FOX et al spinning it, too late:

 

 

 

I think this is a very bad signal because it does exactly what we always try and avoid doing with terrorists, or with rogue states in general, and that's encouraging their bad behavior.

 

 

 

That's a Neo-Conservative for you. And it's exactly why Obama sent Clinton instead of going himself.

 

 

 

These people aren't happy unless you have tanks and armies storming other countries' shores.

 

 

 

1st. Who's fox quote was that? Ill guess hannity but Im curious about who actually said that.

 

 

 

Bluff may have been an overly strong word, my point is North Korea is solely doing this for their own gains. While "hostages" could be used as a bargaining chip, two people wouldn't stop any hypothetical military action against NK. I think this is simply a good faith play, North Korea gets to look good for returning political prisoners; and depending on how pre planned this was Obama gets to look good in the diplomacy department. Regardless of reasons, it is good to see they got released(I forget to say that earlier).

 

 

 

I don't know about the pre planning in this, its quite likely Bill went over after the deal was reached; however, I don't think anyone knew he was there so its possible this was worked out in person.

[magekillr]

It was John Bolton. He's not with FOX, he just goes on there to offer "analysis." He used to be an ambassador to the UN with the Bush administration.

 

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_R._Bolton

 

 

 

Yep, the US rep to the UN.

 

 

 

He's also a chicken hawk. He dodged the Vietnam draft (which I have no problem with), but he is pro-war in every aspect of the word. He dreams about war with Iran and North Korea.

[mmmcannibalism]

It was John Bolton. He's not with FOX, he just goes on there to offer "analysis." He used to be an ambassador to the UN with the Bush administration.

 

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_R._Bolton

 

 

 

Yep, the US rep to the UN.

 

 

 

He's also a chicken hawk. He dodged the Vietnam draft (which I have no problem with), but he is pro-war in every aspect of the word. He dreams about war with Iran and North Korea.

 

 

 

Oh, that guy...dang it I wanted to make fun of Hannity. Honestly, I haven't seen Bolton enough to have an opinion of him.

 

 

 

On topic--

 

 

 

Did these two journalists produce anything about North Korea, or were they arrested too early to have done anything?

[bewareitsandrew]

Kind of surprising Clinton went over, but its obvious (imo) Korea is doing this to bluff willingness to work with the international community.

 

 

 

 

 

That's probably one of the reasons they gave them up, yes. But they forfeited a HUGE moral bargaining chip that could have been used to give them time on nuclear development. The fact that Bill somehow brought that about is undeniable. Hopefully, Fox and it's bastard children can't find some way to spin this against Obama or some other craziness, but I'm glad it happened nonetheless.

 

+1. FOX news pisses me off :x

 

 

 

OT: I'm glad we are finally getting along with other countries, Good step ahead for USA :) Hopefully Clinton can get more involved in politics, From what I've read about him, (I'm only 13 so wasn't aware of what he was doing at the time) hes been one of the countries great presidents :) But he was wrongly impeached :shame:

[The Dark Lord]

Even though NK only did it to soften their international image, it's still pretty good that the journalists are being let go. If they wouldn't have been set free, they would've had to spend 12 years doing hard labor, or worse. It's pretty damn sorry how FOX news is handling the story. They're obviously just criticizing Clinton/Obama because they're in a rival political party.

[1_man_army]

I was surprised that they sent Clinton to be honest. When you're trying to make things look like they aren't official (even when they probably are) it stikes me as odd to send a former President and husband of the current Secretary of State. That being said, I hope that Clinton will have at least tested the waters in regards to other issues (ie. the nuclear program) because otherwise it will be the elephant in the room. I presume it was an issue though as Clinton was greeted by NK's top nuclear negotiator as he got off the plane which is a hopeful sign.

 

 

 

It was John Bolton. He's not with FOX, he just goes on there to offer "analysis." He used to be an ambassador to the UN with the Bush administration.

 

 

 

 

Bolton is often on UK news programs giving his opinion as the 'American voice' on international issues, I find him to be such a disagreeable man. If you've seen the BBC documentary series 'Iran & the West' you can see his great contribution to international relations. Plus that 'tache is terrible.

[Cpchris]

Kind of surprising Clinton went over, but its obvious (imo) Korea is doing this to bluff willingness to work with the international community.

 

 

 

 

 

That's probably one of the reasons they gave them up, yes. But they forfeited a HUGE moral bargaining chip that could have been used to give them time on nuclear development. The fact that Bill somehow brought that about is undeniable. Hopefully, Fox and it's bastard children can't find some way to spin this against Obama or some other craziness, but I'm glad it happened nonetheless.

 

 

 

You know, I saw an episode of Family Guy making fun of Fox for its more conservative views. Funny how no one complains that every single other news network is 100% extreme liberal and Obama is God.

 

 

 

Loving the one-way world we live in...-sarcasm-

[Barihawk]

For the record, I've been watching Fox News for several weeks now (due to it being on the TV's in the waiting room at work) and aside from Glenn Beck, the anchors have actually been thanking Bill Clinton for taking the time to go over there. The only controversy is if the White House had anything to do with the visit on an official level (ie asking Clinton to go over there as opposed to just providing a few aides) which would violated our foreign policy regarding North Korea and present the image that we are "Softening up" on them.

 

 

 

I've not really heard any remarks about Hitler, and since the release of the hostages, Glenn Beck has only been ranting about the "mob controversy" and hasn't even touched this. Unless it was on some blog somewhere that I don't waste time reading (and why should you, if you hate him?)

 

 

 

I mean, just saying. One person here who absolutely hates anything that's farther right than he is (including moderates, apparently) and seems to have a vendetta against the network posts something irrelevant and apparently untrue in this case, and everyone takes it at face value.

 

 

 

While I normally agree that Fox has some issues (and I hate Glenn Beck personally), in this case it's untrue. They've been rather supportive of this affair.

 

 

 

Edit: I also appreciate the power that former Presidents can have. Expect to see George W. Bush in Africa visiting nations in a few years. After a few terms, people who normally might have not liked you during your Presidency generally see you in a new light. Some Presidents even make better former Presidents than they did when they were in the Office (see: Carter :P)

[Latinoking]

Good news.

 

 

 

Now let's rescue the people who went "hiking" into Iran.

[obfuscator]

I honestly wonder what kind of concessions NK was given for this, I hope it wasn't anything too stupid.

[mmmcannibalism]

I honestly wonder what kind of concessions NK was given for this, I hope it wasn't anything too stupid.

 

 

 

We probably gave Kim Jong (physically) Ill a new iphone and platform shoes :lol: :lol: :lol: .

 

 

 

Honestly, I can't imagine that we gave them anything meaningful; while everyone is important we wouldn't give up much for two people if it involved jeopardizing millions.

[magekillr]

[bleep] Morris obviously felt left out of the John Bolton crowd, so he doubled down:

 

 

 

[yt]Ks3Wc9QqgyM[/yt]

[mmmcannibalism]

Because [bleep] Morris is totally serious and not a career comedian. If you weren't interested in trashing fox news you would have realized that.

[magekillr]

Because [bleep] Morris is totally serious and not a career comedian. If you weren't interested in trashing fox news you would have realized that.

 

 

 

_Morris]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/[bleep]_Morris

 

 

 

[bleep] Morris is a comedian? Since when? Last I heard, he was an American political author and commentator.

 

 

 

If you weren't such a political hack who looked at the facts of who these people are, and weren't so interested in opposing everything I say, maybe you would have realized that.

 

 

 

It's not my fault Fox brings him on for his "expertise." The reason they bring these people on is to convince their viewers to think that way. It's why they always bring on creationists and global warming deniers, and then ban people like Bill Maher from appearing. It's why Bill O'Reilly brings people on who oppose him, just to cut their mics during the show; appear fair and balanced, and then shut them up when they make a fool out of you. It's why they never bring on people who are pro-peace "military consultants," and always bring on people who want to wage war with Iran and Iraq. And it's why they bring on [bleep] Morris and John Bolton to say the things they do.

[Barihawk]

If you weren't such a political hack who looked at the facts of who these people are, and weren't so interested in opposing everything I say, maybe you would have realized that.

 

 

 

I'm sorry. Coming from you this statement is hilarious.

[mmmcannibalism]

If you weren't such a political hack who looked at the facts of who these people are, and weren't so interested in opposing everything I say, maybe you would have realized that.

 

 

 

a. Amusingly enough I was wrong about the comedian thing; I have dial up and I thought you were talking about Dennis Miller(associated the wrong face and name).

 

 

 

b. I'm not interested in opposing everything you say; just everything you say that contains gross innaccuracy with the intent to distribute an ideological agenda. When such statements stop being such a large part of your repertoire I presume we could get along quite nicely.

 

 

 

c. I still hold that Fox new's commentary is just as biased as any other network; and I fail to see any evidence that shows otherwise. Edit--I would add that Fox has very good news reporting; of course preference for channel is rather unimportant for pure news shows its the commentary that gives stations their bias.

[ElkNight]

North Korea has our sandwich technology!

 

(+1 to anyone who gets it)

 

:)