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WORLD: Bill Clinton flies freed US reporters back home from North Korea
Ed Harris5 Aug 2009
The two American journalists freed by North Korea returned home to the United States today to a heroes' welcome.
Euna Lee, 36, and Laura Ling, 32, accompanied by former president Bill Clinton, who negotiated their release with Korean leader Kim Jong-il, arrived at an airport near Los Angeles for a jubilant, emotional reunion with friends and family they had not seen for five months.
Ms Lee emerged from the aircraft first and was greeted by her husband, Michael Saldage, and their four-year-old daughter Hanna. She hugged the girl and picked her up before all three embraced in a crushing hug.
Ms Ling embraced her husband, Iain Clayton, as crying family members crowded around.
The journalists, who work for Current TV, a channel co-founded by Mr Clinton's vice-president, Al Gore, were held for illegally crossing into the North from China and were sentenced in June. It is unclear if they strayed into the North or were grabbed by aggressive border guards but recent statements suggested they admitted deliberately crossing into the country.
After landing, Ms Ling said that, even just 30 hours ago they feared that at any moment they could be “sent to a hard labour camp”. Then, she said, they were taken to another location.
“When we walked through the doors, we saw standing before us President Bill Clinton,” she said to applause.
“We were shocked but we knew instantly in our hearts that the nightmare of our lives was finally coming to an end, and now we stand here, home and free.” Mr Clinton also left the aircraft to applause. He hugged Mr Gore at the foot of the stairs, then chatted with family members.
Mr Gore described the families of the two women as “unbelievable, passionate, involved, committed, innovative”. They were arrested as they reported about the trafficking of women.
Analysts have speculated that Mr Clinton's trip could possibly open the way to nuclear disarmament talks.
In North Korean media photographs of the meeting, Mr Kim looked in reasonable health after speculation he was seriously ill. He was suspected of suffering a stroke last year. The husband of US secretary of state Hillary Clinton is the highest-level American to visit the reclusive state since his secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, went there in 2000.
Mr Clinton passed on a message from President Barack Obama to Mr Kim. Washington said that North Korea would face deeper isolation if it continued the “provocative behaviour” that has seen it launch multiple nuclear and missile tests.
Washington said it would maintain efforts to enforce UN sanctions imposed over its 25 May nuclear test.
Reader views (7)
sadly these two morons will both now write books and get a film deal. Its the american disease.
- Nigel Frost, sarasota, fl, USA, 06/08/2009 04:14
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I`m tending to agree with what a lot of people are saying here in the USA. & that is
"How do you just wander into North Korea?" Seems these 2 were looking to achieve something that turns them into household names. The same thing is felt about the 2 Americans who just happened to have wandered into Iran from Iraq.
Well they`ve achieved the fame they must have been seeking.
- Janis, Palm Springs,California, 06/08/2009 00:51
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Rod from Epping, YOUR SICK MATE!!
- Kc, londonboy, 05/08/2009 21:35
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A real statesman, and Americas best ever president.
- Brian, Wiltshire, 05/08/2009 18:59
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Can we send Clinton to Afghanistan, Iraq and Gaza to rescue those held hostage by terrorists.
- Adam, Harrow, UK, 05/08/2009 14:16
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I wonder if he had "no sexual relations with those women?" I like Clinton, one of the very few political people I am able to trust to get the right result.
- Rod, Epping, UK, 05/08/2009 11:24
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Sounds encouraging, but I wonder what concessions Kim Jong-il wrung from the US to grant these releases?
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 05/08/2009 10:27
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