B. Clinton "Honored" to Go to N. Korea

Former President Bill Clinton was uncharacteristically silent yesterday when he returned from North Korea after securing the release of those two American journalists.

Today here in New York, he explained he wanted to avoid saying anything publicly that might tip the balance, as he put it, in the relationship with North Korea. He added that he's no longer a policymaker.

"My job was to do one thing, which I was profoundly honored to do as an American and as a father," Clinton said. "I wanted those young women to be able to come home. And I wanted our two countries to have the ability to decide where to go from here."

Clinton said Laura Ling and Euna Lee could barely contain their excitement after leaving North Korea:

"They were ... delightful on the plane trip home. I mean, they were happy, and they tried to sleep and couldn't. They got their first, you know, real old-fashioned American breakfast and even a little more - a little huevos ranchero," Clinton said. "It was basically a lovely thing. You can see they're very nice people."

Lee said that while behind bars, she ate mostly rice - that had rocks in it.

[heavynne]

Why are you people so quick to make comparisons between President Obama and ex President Clinton? Obama has been very good at mending relations with almost every country on the globe where Bush could not even tread. The point is Clinton was able to free the journalists, be happy, it was a good thing. I bet those of you who are now praising Clinton and downing Obama didn't even like Clinton when he was President. I doubt that Obama was afraid to go, but since the whole mission was secret, enlighten us on what you know, just the facts please, you can keep the fiction to yourselves.

[micheleisfree]

It is illegal for a person not directly employed by the United States government to represent the USA in any situation whatsoever. Think about it. Do you want Oprah going to another country to represent YOU and this entire country whenever she feels like it?

Now I'm a moderate fan of Bill, smart and good man, and I'm thrilled he did this, but he broke the law.

Why can't ANYONE in DC stick to the law?

[mariannpepit]

I don't know where you get your information from but Bill Clinton broke no laws. He is a former president and considered an envoy. If N. Korea wanted only Bill Clinton so be it. Obama didn't want Clinton discussing the Nuclear situation because it would make him look like he doesn't know how to handle N. Korea. He doesn't. His advisors are telling him what to say and not say. Bill Clinton knows what to say without advisors. That's the difference between a polished president and OBAMA.

[stn_sage]

To micheleisfree:

I believe you are technically correct! I recall reading it somewhere in the legal code. You need to be directly employed by the U.S. Government,
you need to be authorized to conduct negotiations, and have the authority to do so!

You are correct, but over the last twenty years or so, chief executives
have allowed FORMER govt officials to act IN THE NAME OF the U.S.Government without any official sanction to do so---also known as
plausible deny-ability if something goes wrong!

Now, this illegal end-run around proper credentials is common place!

I think it misrepresents the U.S.A. that a former dishonored president
is sent to handle this! It's an admission that there's no honorable
envoys at the State Department and we would agree to send no such person to handle it!

The North Koreans just made the U.S. look bad AND this government and people probably don't even know it!

[rainwater5]

Bill Clinton's ability to talk instead engaging in war is one of his great assets, and I am profoundly grateful to have such a diplomat who can go around the world and right some wrongs. It is much better to negotiate. I have never felt anything but pride that I was able to vote for him; too bad that he could not have spent 16 years in the White House. Think of the financial mess we would have avoided, the military still alive, and the good which would have come to all the Americans. I wish him a long and productive life, with many such golden moments. Thank you, Mr. President

[mariannpepit]

You are so right about Bill Clinton. Obama could never handle this situation and besides that N. Korea didn't want him there anyway. Obama cannot handle the Nuclear situation but believe me Bill Clinton can. He is in the same category as FDR, Truman and JFK. Nixon ended the Vietnam war why can't Obama end the war in Iraq. I believe he doesn't want to.

[wogerwabbit]

vietnamwar

had I known you there, i would have done the world a favor and fragged you.

[vietnamwar]

ok, u r right let send Hillary.

[wogerwabbit]

Good Lord, don't you republicans have anything positive to say about anything? Please, wallow in your mud alone, don't drag us all down into it. You people are sick... get help.

[vietnamwar]

what ?

[vietnamwar]

I think Billy should unannouce drop in Iran today to do the same.....

[vietnamwar]

This is very funny story.
I don't know we can stop by NKorea unannounce visit at any time and ask KIM ill to release the reporters....heh heh

Mr Billy can you do the same to Taliban we still have our solder capture, would you please stop by unannounce to Taliban and ask for free solder......

[differnet]

Thank you Big Dawg! Your continued service to our country is a true gift.

[the_majesty]

Thank You - President Clinton. Job well done.

[cbsbanned]

Couldn't Obama find some "honor" ?