August 4, 2009

Bill the Bagman

Laura Ling and Euna Lee are 'reporters' working for Al Gore's media outlet Current TV. They were arrested on March 17th trying to sneak into North Korea from China and were sentenced to twelve years at hard labor. From the UK Guardian:
Profiles: Laura Ling and Euna Lee
Laura Ling and Euna Lee, reporters for Al Gore's Current TV, were detained by North Korea along the border with China in March. Accused of illegally entering the country and engaging in "hostile acts", the pair were sentenced to 12 years' hard labour in June.
Well, Bill Clinton waltzes over there and sets things right. From the New York Times:
North Korea Is Said to Pardon Two American Journalists
The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, pardoned two jailed American journalists, the official KCNA news agency has reported, according to Reuters. The report came after former President Bill Clinton met with the reclusive and ailing Mr. Kim in Pyongyang on Tuesday.

Mr. Kim granted �a special pardon,� KCNA said in a statement. It was not clear how rapidly the two journalists, Laura Ling, 32, and Euna Lee, 36, might be allowed to leave the country. They were being held near Pyongyang after having been sentenced to 12 years at hard labor for entering North Korea illegally.

The Ling and Lee families issued a joint statement Tuesday afternoon in which they thanked the Obama administration, President Clinton and �all the people who have supported our families through this ordeal.� They added that they were �counting the seconds to hold Laura and Euna in our arms.�
I am sorry but I do not believe this 'diplomatic action' at all. What the fuck did we offer North Korea that they would back down so suddenly. And how will it come back and bite us in the ass... Posted by DaveH at August 4, 2009 1:57 PM
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