Secy Clinton Says Husband’s Trip Provided a Window into North Korea
EmailABC News' Kirit Radia reports: Former President Bill Clinton’s trip to North Korea to retrieve two American journalists held there since March was billed as a private “humanitarian mission,” albeit one approved by the Obama administration. But Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said today that her husband’s visit was “extremely helpful” in providing insight into the reclusive regime. “It gives us a window into what's going on in North Korea,” Secretary Clinton said of the briefings her husband has provided to the National Security Council since returning from Pyongyang, where he met with secretive and reportedly ailing leader Kim Jong Il. “But our policy remains the same. Our policy is consistent. We continue to offer to the North Koreans the opportunity to have a dialogue within the six-party-talk framework,” Clinton said, referring to the negotiations with North Korea aimed at ridding the country of its nuclear capability. Pyongyang walked away from the talks last year and this year has said it will never return. “The choice is up to the North Koreans,” she added. Asked whether President Clinton’s trip might have opened a window to dealing with the regime, Secretary Clinton responded: “That is up to us to determine, whether there are some opportunities and some insights that can be used to try to create this positive atmosphere, but it's truly up to the North Koreans.”
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Did Kim Jong’s house have a need for a new window? Hopefully this is not more government waste. Did we get something in return?
Posted by: Huh | August 18, 2009, 8:21 pm 8:21 pm
So he discovered the place is a death camp full of starving inmates? What a shock! I mean, who knew?
Posted by: Aghast | August 18, 2009, 8:30 pm 8:30 pm
So is Bill Clinton our real SoS? I’m confused.
Posted by: BH | August 18, 2009, 11:05 pm 11:05 pm
just think if McCain had won the 2008 election, Iran, N. Korea, Cuba would lie in ruins, millions dead and the world in chaos..
just think if ‘W’ hadn’t been awarded the 2000 election….
elections certainly make a difference
Posted by: Iota | August 18, 2009, 11:35 pm 11:35 pm
So is Bill Clinton our real SoS?
I’m confused.
Posted by: BH
not surprising, you’re republican…
Posted by: Iota | August 18, 2009, 11:36 pm 11:36 pm
BH:”So is Bill Clinton our real SoS? I’m confused.”
He takes a single trip, is in the news for five days, and you’re confused about who is SoS? That’s sad.
Clinton spent more time working for Bush Jr (the tsunami relief efforts) than he has helping the Obama Whitehouse so far.
Posted by: jhw539 | August 18, 2009, 11:39 pm 11:39 pm
Aghast:”So he discovered the place is a death camp full of starving inmates? What a shock! I mean, who knew?”
The information on the physical condition of Kim Il Jong following his rumored stroke and disappearance from public appearances is a big deal. It’s valuable to know who the lunatic in charge really is, or if there is a window of time with a leadership vacuum. Your shallow understanding of the value of this sort of fundamental intelligence is pretty shocking.
Posted by: jhw539 | August 18, 2009, 11:42 pm 11:42 pm
“He takes a single trip, is in the news for five days, and you’re confused about who is SoS? That’s sad. ”
Yikes. People believe anything they want to these days. Sigh. Sarcasm folks, pure, unfettered sarcasm.
It’s just amazing to me that Bill gets more done in a single (narcissistic?)trip than anything his wife’s done so far.
So, uh, you’d think HE’S the SoS by the way things have gone on the foreign policy front, not his wife. I guess around here you have to write anything you say in big letters with crayons just to keep the self-appointed thought police happy…so would your dimness make you all by definition just a bunch of liberal Democrats?
Posted by: BH | August 19, 2009, 12:25 am 12:25 am
“Did Kim Jong’s house have a need for a new window? Hopefully this is not more government waste. Did we get something in return?”
Too funny.
Two Algore border hopping “journalists” for a Pella® window that may qualify Kim Jon for a tax credit of up to $1,500 on his 2009 or 2010 federal income tax return. Not a bad deal.
Posted by: Hmmm... | August 19, 2009, 10:19 am 10:19 am
so i guess once again, Obamz and Clinton have adopted Bush’s diplomatic approach with Korea. US negotiations withing the framework of the six-party talks.
So what was all the criticism during the campaign about?
Posted by: JAZ | August 19, 2009, 3:05 pm 3:05 pm
Uhhhh…yeah, sounds a lil like Iraq. “We don’t hv WMD”. “No, u can’t finish the inspections”. “We know it’s been more then 10 yrs, but ur inspectors still can’t finish”.
Ok, so we go in, remove him and free alot of Iraqies from death, rape rooms and a dictator that left us no choice! Sounds like we’re headed the same direction.
Not so easy after all, huh Mrs. Clinton.
Posted by: Mark | October 21, 2009, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
that was about the most useless article ive read. what was seen thru that window. Clintons response was just double-talk. i was expecting to learn what insights B Clinton brought back. i dont want to read about people’s opinions. we need to know facts.
Posted by: Evan | November 1, 2009, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm