Obama, Bill Clinton Discuss N. Korea

(AP)  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Tuesday that information her husband brought back from North Korea has been "extremely helpful" by providing a window into what's happening in the reclusive country.

But it didn't change the Obama administration's position on North Korea, which is under pressure from the U.S. and its allies to end its nuclear weapons program.

"Our policy remains the same. Our policy is consistent," she said.

Clinton made the remarks at a State Department news conference with Colombian Foreign Minister Jaime Bermudez as President Barack Obama met with Bill Clinton about the former president's mission to North Korea that won the freedom of two imprisoned American journalists.

In a brief statement, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Obama thanked Clinton for undertaking the mission and the former president "described the process." Gibbs said the two spoke for 40 minutes in the West Wing's situation room before Obama invited the former president to continue their conversation for another 30 minutes in the Oval Office.

"President Obama said he was gratified that the Americans had been safely reunited with their families," Gibbs said.

The session was the second conversation between the two men on the North Korean mission, although the private meeting was the first in-person and in-depth debriefing between the current and former president. Bill Clinton also has met with National Security Council staff twice and his associates also have had extensive discussions with the NSC, State Department and other agencies about the trip.

He won the release on Aug. 4 of journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who were working for Clinton's former vice president, Al Gore, at Current-TV. The former president also met and had dinner with North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Il.

U.S. officials are eager to learn about Kim's health. He is believed to have had a stroke and is suffering from chronic health problems.

Asked whether her husband got any signal that the North was ready to return to six-party talks on its nuclear weapons program, the secretary said that the United States was trying to determine whether there were signals it could act upon to try to create a "positive atmosphere."

She added: "But it's really up to the North Koreans."

The secretary, whom Obama defeated in last year's Democratic presidential primary campaign, met earlier with Obama at the White House but aides said the previously scheduled visit by Bermudez prevented her from attending the meeting between her husband and the president.

State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said Clinton sent her chief of staff and counselor, Cheryl Mills, who was the secretary's point person on the matter.

[proudmilvet]

Democrats are nasty, hate spewing People? Like that pile of Trailer Trash over at "Faux" News are all warm & fuzzy? I would rather live under Socialism than Limbaughism any day!

[specialty8]

If you don't like Limbaugh don't listen to him then. Seems more Obamabots listen to him then anybody, you are always talking about him anyway.

[proudmilvet]

Your calling Gore A Lard Ass? What about your "Dear Leader" Limbaugh!! LOL!

[wtcmedic911]

As if clinton had a sight seeing tour, spent time with the locals and had a few beers with the leader. obama was giving clinton the b job for going to n korea. Would have loved to seen lard ass Gore go as these were his employees.

[Lawyers-Guns-n-Money]

I hate to go all Hunter assk on yo assk but Billy did get ann escort home from some prime time stuff. If that ain't some diplomacy, I don't know what is!

Bill, you still da mack daddy!

[thusspokezara]

Obama needs to retaliate against the GOP for giving him such a hard time over health care. He should send a few dozen of the Guantanamo inmates to Des Moines Iowa. That should get Senator Ghastley's attention.

[proudmilvet]

Yeah, Right! But i suppose if Dick(Old Draft Dodgin Dick)Cheney had stuck his two cents in you would'nt have a problem with that!

[grabandgo]

Clinton policies will prevail. Part of the deal made when Hillary backed down from run for president.

[stn_sage]

Oh, you gotta love the kibbutzing going on here!

The information was 'extremely helpful' Bill Clinton brought back from N.Korea, but it didn't change or alter existing policy!

Translation: this administration is trying to make Clinton a psuedo-cabinet member will trying to deflect criticism that he should have no role in this or any other government!

He and any other retired, NON-APPOINTED, former officials HAVE NO BUSINESS representing the United States in ANY CAPACITY and using them in such a manner should CEASE immediately!

[G-I_Jesus]

The Big North Korean Dream

Barrack: So Bill, how was Kim's health?

Bill: I am afraid that the supreme leader is not doing so well.

Barrack: How so? Is it because of his last stroke? And who will replace him?

Bill: He is dying and he has offered me the job. The North Korean people love me and I think I will take it.

Barrack: Are you serious? I know how people can love a foreigner like Jerry Lewis and the French but this is a communist country we are talking about.

Bill: I really think I can turn the country around. I have talked to Nike and they have offered to send their business to us because of the much lower wages then China.

Barrack: North Korean people receive nothing for their work Bill.

Bill: See! We are bound to be very competitive.

Barrack: What does Hillary think about it?

Bill: I don't know, I haven't talked to her about it. I don't think that she would be very happy though. Got to go now, they are fitting me for the crown and statue. I?m so excited!

Barrack: A statue?

Bill: Yes, I will pose naked like the Greek emperors and Gods. Want to see my abs?

Barrack: Bill, what has happened to you?

Bill: This is freaking capitalism at its best Barrack! I am just living the big North Korean dream!

Barrack: Good God!

[slownewsday_5]

"by the_majesty August 18, 2009 6:38 PM EDT
notsouthern --- I've told you about playing the race card. Boy "


So you call someone "boy". Why is that not surprising? Last fall you called Obama a "shoe-shine boy" on more than one occasion.

You really need to talk to the guy in the mirror if you think you're against racism, Maj...


.

[the_majesty]

slownews , notsouthern acts like a boy , not a man.
So I called him a Boy. What is racist about that.
As far as I know, all races has boys & girls.

[the_majesty]

slownews ... I would like to correct your comment.
You have made it several times over the last year.
What I said was Obama would not make a good "shoe-shine boy".
As I travel I see many shoe-shine boys in the airports.
Both white and black.
What is racist about that ?

[pensacola8-2009]

Former Presidents do visit the White House from time to time. President Clinton's work still continues and our country receives many fruits from the things he has done during his public service.

Both President Obama and President Clinton live to serve those who create a healthy place in their minds for their services. Many citizens of many nations around the world, including this on, love these two.

Open minds can always open doors.