Bill Clinton Brokers Deal with North Korea for Release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee

Republicans are against so much these days, in their role as opposition government. When a political party is in the minority in government they are supposed to serve that role, to question and oppose legislation proposed by the majority party. But their latest opposition is one that is somewhat difficult to understand.

Some Republicans are mad that former president Bill Clinton flew to Korea yesterday, on a humanitarian mission, to rescue Laura Ling and Euna Lee.

The two young journalists who worked for former Vice President Al Gore's, Current TV, were arrested by North Korean security forces in March and were sentenced by North Korea to 12 years hard labor. Since their arrest and sentence, Al Gore, the United States State Department, the Obama administration and the family of the girls have worked behind the scenes to secure the release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee.

The news changed rapidly in this story as news reports of former president Bill Clinton traveling to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jon Il in Pyongyang, North Korea, were broadcast early on August 4. Throughout the day, the story developed with an ongoing spate of news releases that culminated in the announcement late yesterday, August 4, that North Korea had pardoned the girls and that they would be free to leave the country.

The good news and the joyful expressions by Laura Ling and Euna Lee's families were met with the excitement of the American people and seen as a real success for our country and for these families. We watched them board President Clinton's private plane last evening and heard Matt McKenna, spokesman for the former president, announce: "President Clinton has safely left North Korea with Laura Ling and Euna Lee. They are en route to Los Angeles where Laura and Euna will be reunited with their families."

Good news! Right? Well, not exactly, according to some Republican pundits, like John Bolton, who have expressed dismay that the Obama administration is consorting and negotiating with terrorists.Former UN admbassador Bolton, states that the decision was an "unwise one". It is their opinion that President Clinton was not acting in his role as a private citizen, but as a representative of the Obama administration and thus, Americans have now compromised themselves and conceded to the demands of a tyrannical terrorist leader, Kim Jong Il of North Korea, the axis of evil.

It was reported on MSNBC this morning by Andrea Mitchell, that it was North Korea who suggested that if Clinton came, the girls could be pardoned and released. Clinton was approached by Al Gore and the family of the girls about the deal. The deal was made, and just what did Kim Jong Il get for this deal?

It's difficult to say how he benefits from this. Perhaps he hopes that the Obama administration will relax some of their stringent demands for the 6 party talks on his nuclear proliferation plans. Perhaps he's waving a white flag of truce. Clinton gave up 20 hours or so of his life in his visit to North Korea, plus he had to sit through a 3 hour meal with Kim Jong Il. The Obama administration denies that any political concessions were made as part of the deal. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, was on CNN this morning emphasizing the administration's view on North Korea, insisting that the Obama administration made no concessions as part of this deal.

The benefit to Laura Ling and Euna Lee is much easier to see. They're home with their children, their families and we get to see Bill Clinton and Al Gore in the role of hero. It's a nice role for both of them. As for the detractors who think the decision was "unwise". As always, when it comes to human beings in crisis, it's difficult to judge who made the wise decision, but these young girls are home and that is a good thing.

Resources

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/08/bill_clinton_goes_in_north_kor.html

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/25775.html#ixzz0NIt8VCPh

http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/08/77189/index.html

CNN American Morning Show

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/

NBC Morning Joe

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/

John Bolton
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/04/AR2009080401486.html