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Clinton Meets With Kim Jong Il

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 4, 2009 8:59 AM CDT

(Newser) – Bill Clinton has met with reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, official state media reports. The Korean news agency described Clinton as "courteously" conveying a message from President Obama, saying he and Kim shared a "wide-ranging exchange of views." But the White House denied that Clinton was bearing such a message, calling the trip a "solely private mission." The former president arrived in Pyongyang today in an unmarked aircraft, in an effort to free detained journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee.

"We do not want to jeopardize the success of former President Clinton’s mission," Robert Gibbs said this morning. Clinton was greeting in Pyongyang by several North Korean officials, including the country's chief nuclear negotiator, the New York Times reports, raising speculation that he may have a broader agenda beyond the journalists' release. Clinton commands considerable respect among North Korean officials, who struck several deals with his administration before relations deteriorated under George W. Bush.

[Images (10)]

[Videos (1)]

Bill Clinton arrives in Pyongyang, North Korea on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service )

A South Korean man watches a TV broadcasting news about former President Bill Clinton heading to North Korea at the Seoul Railway Station, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Bill Clinton receives a bouquet of flowers upon his arrival at an airport in Pyongyang, North Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service )

Former President Bill Clinton is greeted by North Korean vice parliamentary speaker Yang Hyong Sop, third from left, upon his arrival at an airport in Pyongyang, North Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service)

South Korean activists burn a defaced North Korean flag during a rally demanding the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

In this undated photo released by www.lauraandeuna.com, Euna Lee, is shown. Former President Bill Clinton met Tuesday with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. (AP Photo/www.lauraandeuna.com)

South Koreans watch a TV broadcasting news report on former US President Bill Clinton's visit to North Korea at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

This image, taken from TV, shows former President Clinton with Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang.

In this photo released by Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service in Tokyo, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, right, receives a bouquet of flowers upon his arrival at an airport in Pyongyang,... (AP Photo/Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service)

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This footage from North Korean television, edited by the Guardian, shows Bill Clinton arriving at Pyongyang airport today. (larawbar)

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