Clinton was greeted with flowers upon his arrival.
Former US President Bill Clinton has paid an unannounced visit to North Korea, in what the White House is calling a “private visit” to negotiate for the release of two American citizens held by the Communist regime.
While the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Clinton “courteously” delivered a personal message to Kim Jon Il from Barack Obama, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs denied any message was given.
However, North Korea analyst Prof Hazel Smith, of the UK’s Cranfield University, told the BBC that Mr Clinton would have the full backing of the White House.
“This is not a private mission, although it being billed as such,” she said. “There is no way that [former] President Clinton, married to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton… would be taking this step without the full support of the US administration.”
Clinton steps of the plane in Pyongyang.
In addition to discussing the arrest and sentencing of American journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling to hard labor by the regime, it is believed Clinton will discuss North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.The country announced the successful testing of a nuclear bomb last May, and tensions have risen between the two countries since, culminating with a series of cyber attacks were launched between the two countries on July 4th and the arrest of the American journalists for allegedly “spying” on the country.
Clinton landed in Pyongyang in an unmarked plane and was greeted at the airport by North Korean officials, including chief nuclear negotiator Kim Kye-gwan and Yang Hyong-sop, vice president of parliament.
Bill Clinton is the highest-profile American to visit since his secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, in 2000.
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Ah! So he’s not following in the footsteps of former buffoon-in-charge Carter I guess.
Screw these two broads in jail in North Korea. He should be negotiating for the release of the USS Pueblo being held prisonerof war for 40 years.
These two women certainly DO need to be addressed! They need to be released from North Korean hard labor camps. Anyone who lacks the heart and compassion to see this? Hasn’t one at all.
Where’s the empathy-the “that could me one day”-
@Juanita: Ve te por carajo!!
In return demacratic party and obama will get media support. There are thousands of US nationals held as hostages in other nations.
AFter all the people who failed to get these women released, thank goodness a REAL President got it done in 18 hours! It took someone with intellect, incredible communication skills, and courage to do so. By the way, it was reported on numerous news sources that Clinton was asked to go by the detainees families, not Obama. Obama didn’t really want him to go but said he could if he made it clear it had nothing to do with the White House. I travel around the world extensively and the Clintons are rock stars everywhere. They are so respected and admired.
Keep in mind that the American “journalists” were hired by Al Gore’s Internet news company, Current Tv. That may have had something to do with Clinton going over there.
-Admin.
Yeah, ode to clinton you got it a little backwards….
Bill Clinton would not have touched down in North Korea unless he already knew he would be leaving with the girls. The deal wasn’t struck by Clinton, the deal was struck because of Clinton though. This administration (including his wife) had obviously laid the groundwork and North Korea wanted something substantial – They got it – Former President Clinton him very self. He was there for show and because he was one of the better presidents at handling North Korea. It certainly wasn’t clinton (bill) making the deal and yes, it was most certainly the Obama administration…