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Update: Obama, Sec. Clinton "Very Pleased" About Return Of Journalists From Pyongyang
August 5, 2009 12:35 p.m. EST
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Kris Alingod - AHN Contributor
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - President Barack Obama on Wednesday broke his silence about the former President Bill Clinton's "private mission" to have two jailed American journalists in North Korea released. The journalists arrived at Hope Airport in Burbank, California earlier that day after nearly five months of detention in the communist nation. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is in Africa, also said she was "very pleased" with the homecoming but maintained that official relations with Pyongyang remain unchanged.
"The reunion that we've all seen on television I think is a source of happiness not only for the families but for the entire country," Obama said in a statement from the South Lawn of the White House. "I want to thank President Bill Clinton -- I had a chance to talk to him -- for the extraordinary humanitarian effort that resulted in the release of the two journalists. I want to thank Vice President Al Gore who worked tirelessly in order to achieve a positive outcome."
"Not only is this White House obviously extraordinarily happy, but all Americans should be grateful to both former President Clinton and Vice President Gore for their extraordinary work," he added. "And my hope is, is that the families that have been reunited can enjoy the next several days and weeks, understanding that because of the efforts of President Clinton and Gore, they are able to be with each other once again."
The White House on Tuesday had refused to comment on the former President's trip, citing security issues. It had reportedly sanctioned the trip after the journalists told family members that Pyongyang would pardon them if the 42nd president visited and sought their release.
Euna Lee and Laura Ling were pardoned late Tuesday, after Bill Clinton met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.
They were arrested on March 17 near the Tumen River on the communist nation's border with China on allegations that they had illegally entered North Korea. They were on assignment for Current TV, which was co-founder by former Clinton Vice President Al Gore. The two had been sentenced on June 8 to 12 years in prison with hard labor. They had been sentenced by the nation's Central Court for having illegally trespassed and committed "hostile acts."
The United States has no official ties with Pyongyang, and negotiations for the journalists' release had been, until Clinton's arrival, undertaken through the Swedish Mission at the United Nations. Relations with North Korea have been strained, with Washington successfully having pushed the U.N. Security Council to impose sanctions in response to the Asian nation's continued nuclear activities.
The U.N. Security Council on June 12 imposed tougher sanctions on North Korea in response to the communist nation's May 25 nuclear test.
Resolution 1874, which passed with a unanimous vote from the 15-member Council, demands that Pyongyang stop all nuclear and missile activity and demands return unconditionally to the Six Party negotiations. It also imposes a complete embargo on the nation's export of military material except small arms, gives Council members the power to inspect vessels suspected of contraband.
China, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States are part of negotiations, called Six Party talks, with North Korea about nuclear disarmament.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is on a seven-nation tour of Africa, said in a press conference she was "very pleased" by the release of Lee and Ling but that, "We have always considered that a totally separate issue from our efforts to reengage the North Koreans and have them return to the Six-Party Talks and work toward a commitment for the full, verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."
"The future of our relationships with the North Koreans are really up to them," she added. "They have a choice. They can continue to follow a path that is filled with provocative actions which further isolates them from the international community, which resulted in the imposition of sanctions by the Security Council and the full cooperation of the international community, including and led by China, for the implementation of those sanctions under the resolution. Or they can decide to renew their discussions with the partners in the Six-Party Talks."
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