Jailed Journalists and Bill Clinton Return to the US, Courtesy of Steve Bing.
by MikeScholtes on Aug.06, 2009, under Journalists
Jailed American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee returned home to the United States on Wednesday, together with former President Bill Clinton, on a jet that belongs to film executive Steve Bing.
Since it was made clear from the beginning that Clinton’s trip to North Korea to attempt to secure the release of the journalists, who had been jailed for 140 days, was a purely private one, he apparently relied upon his old friend Bing to provide his transportation. The jet is owned by Shangri-La Entertainment, the company that the movie mogul owns.
The freed journalists were reunited with their families upon landing at the airport in Burbank, California. Ling’s father Douglas told ABC News that he had never had any doubts that his daughter and her colleague would eventually be returned home safely but for her part Laura Ling said she and her colleague Ms. Lee were stunned by Clinton’s arrival.
Speaking at a brief press conference she said “”We feared that at any moment we could be sent to a hard labor camp, and then suddenly we were told that we were going to a meeting. When we walked through the doors, we saw standing before us President Bill Clinton. We were shocked, but we knew instantly in our hearts that the nightmare of our lives was finally coming to an end.”
For his part Bill Clinton admitted that he undertook his mission at the request of his former Vice President Al Gore, who runs Current TV, the media outlet that the two journalists were working for when they were arrested. “When their families, Vice President Gore and the White House asked that I undertake this humanitarian mission, I agreed,” Clinton said in a written statement. “I share a deep sense of relief with Laura and Euna and their families that they are safely home.”
Although the White House distanced themselves from the mission, former Vice President Al Gore said “President Obama and countless members of his administration have been deeply involved in this humanitarian effort,” Gore said, speaking at the arrival of the two reporters who worked for the channel he co-founded, Current TV. “They have really put their hearts in this.” While President Obama said meanwhile “We are obviously extraordinarily relieved” and “very pleased with the outcome.”
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that “at some point” Obama will meet with former President Clinton to discuss his meeting with Kim Jong II, but nothing has been planned yet.
August 6th, 2009 on 2:09 pm
Do you really think the President ‘did not know’ the details of this meeting? And WHAT exactly did we give in trade for the release of them?
August 6th, 2009 on 4:53 pm
I have learned a long time ago you don’t get something for nothing;especcially in politics.So the question is what really went on between the two so that the journalists would be released?
August 6th, 2009 on 5:27 pm
Thank God for Bill Clinton. I wish he was our President!!
August 6th, 2009 on 6:37 pm
BILL HAS DOEN A GOOD DEED AND THE REPUBK=LICANS CANNOT STAND IT THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT INTO A NEGATIVE THING AS USUAL. REPUBLICANS SHOULD ALL GOTO CONFESSION AND TELL GOD ABOUT THEIR ENVY AND JEALOUSY PROBLEMS AND IF THEY DONT SEND EM STRAIGHT TO HELL
August 6th, 2009 on 8:02 pm
That was an extremely thoughtful gesture on the parts of Mr. Stephen Bing and former President William J. Clinton to personally escort the two jailed journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, back to the United States.
August 7th, 2009 on 1:03 am
They hadnt been sent to a labor camp yet after this long period of time so you know there were secret negotiations going on. North Korea hates us so it has to be something in trade. I am thankful they got to come home, however it was done
August 7th, 2009 on 1:36 am
I for one will not question what we gave DPRK in exchange for the release of the 2 ladies. They’re home and that’s it. Oh what we would give in order to bring home the 28,000 + G.I.s still in harm’s way over there.
August 7th, 2009 on 1:42 am
Unless their actions in crossing into North Korea was condoned by their employer Current TV, they must face the music for getting themselves in trouble. A mere reprimand is not enough.
August 8th, 2009 on 5:35 am
You clowns that still with Bill Clinton was in the White House being immoral with tramps. What a sad state this country is in. You see nothing wrong with the immoral dog nor the state of business/economics in the country. Only “regret” is getting caught..