–updated–
TM UPDATE 4.4 @ 10:10: Nobody commands more respect around the globe than former President Bill Clinton, especially in North Korea. This is being proven out by the developing story that the North Koreans reportedly contacted the relatives of the girls to tell them they’d surrender the journalists to Bill Clinton, something that’s been in the works for weeks. MSNBC was the first to report this part of the story. Politico’s Mike Allen has more. The White House gave their blessing, but from what is known now, was not involved in any way in actually facilitating WJC going. That was specifically on request from the North Koreans, at least as we know now. It’s a “solely private mission,” says the White House:
“While this solely private mission to secure the release of two Americans is on the ground, we will have no comment. We do not want to jeopardize the success of former President Clinton’s mission.”
To add, it does set the stage for an interesting moment of potential opportunity, so the mind reels at what else could possibly be discussed, however informally that would be.
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Scott Snyder, a North Korea expert for the nonprofit Asia Foundation, said Clinton’s standing as a world statesman carried weight with Pyongyang. “The North Koreans have a lot of nostalgia for the end of the Clinton administration,” he said. – LA Times
According to multiple media sources, former President Bill Clinton has landed in North Korea to try to negotiate a way out of journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling imprisonment. Neither the White House or State is commenting.
Former president Bill Clinton landed in North Korea on Tuesday, North Korean state radio reported, on an apparent mission to negotiate the release of two American journalists who have been sentenced to 12 years of hard labor.
South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency and China’s official New China News Agency also reported that Clinton had arrived at an airport in Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, on a flight from the United States. …
Let’s hope the Big Dog can get this done. I’m sure Al Gore, for whom the women were working when they were arrested, knows the situation is in very good hands. Though no one and I mean no one is talking.
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