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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009

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Declares Emergency

Eleven more bodies found in mass grave

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Blackwater Waging
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Mercenaries doing CIA dirty work, plotting killings

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China Executes Two Over Tainted Milk

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Released hostage says he saw child, other women aboard vessel

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|NEXT STORY »

UPDATED

Clinton Meets With Kim Jong Il

By Jason Farago| Posted Aug 4, 09 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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39 comments

VIEWING:

cumbucodon
Aug 4, 09 6:59 AM CDT

Can someone explain what Bush didn't screw up ? Reply

+10

IN RESPONSE:

SalParadise
Aug 4, 09 8:02 AM CDT

Say what you will. The man was consistent.

+10

IN RESPONSE:

shonangreg
Aug 4, 09 8:20 AM CDT

Consistent? Yeah, we fought in Iraq because they had WMD's . . . er, they were threatening America, er, . . . Saddam was a bad guy . . . er, we were spreading democracy, er . . . The only thing consistent was Bush's refusal to admit he had made a mistake.

IN RESPONSE:

SalParadise
Aug 4, 09 9:10 AM CDT

He consistently held firm in his ever-changing beliefs.

-5

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 4, 09 10:18 AM CDT

Shonangreg, good now you understand. BTW notice how most of the bombings in Israel ended with Saddam? Among a hundred other things.

-5

IN RESPONSE:

matteo
Aug 4, 09 11:38 AM CDT

consistently ignorant !!

IN RESPONSE:

SalParadise
Aug 4, 09 12:05 PM CDT

Sarcasm is very difficult to convey online, I've found.

IN RESPONSE:

chas_m
Aug 5, 09 1:45 AM CDT

Raping the Constitution and bankrupting the US in ways 10,000 times more effective than anything Al-Quida could wish for. If that was his aim, he succeeded like CRAZY.

| 0 minutes ago

Caps
Aug 4, 09 7:40 AM CDT

cumbucodon, what Bush didn't screw up, Cheney did, but thank goodness we have them out of the White House, replaced with some one who has some common sense and brains. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 4, 09 10:19 AM CDT

You know most of the Bush-Cheney team is still in the WH fighting the wars?

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 4, 09 9:22 PM CDT

Who?

| 0 minutes ago

DontLikeYou
Aug 4, 09 8:13 AM CDT

Let's see... North Korea kidnaps our citizens, and we send slick willy to save they day. I wonder what ransom he will pay for their release? Weakness abounds among democrats. It's why they never stay in power long. Reply

-9

IN RESPONSE:

Caps
Aug 4, 09 8:34 AM CDT

Sorry, dontlikeyou, you sure didn't see your great president, Bush, offering to be of any help. That's because he is hated by N. K., and a lot more countries. He didn't sit down and talk to them, because he could not complete an intelligent sentence" just tried to bull shit his way through.

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 4, 09 10:30 AM CDT

CAPS I guess you have a small problem with reality. Hopefully Obama care will cure you.

-3

IN RESPONSE:

Caps
Aug 4, 09 10:50 AM CDT

NewserScooter, I think you have a LARGE problem, maybe you should get back on your medication. Things don't sound very good with your ignorant comments.

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 4, 09 11:01 AM CDT

So Caps I feel so much better that you think I'm Ignorant. You don't know how wrong you are about that, or a lot of other things too I imagine. So what things don't sound good? I think the left has come off an 8 year ignorant rant about Bush, most of which have been Soros packaged lies. The fun part is that you guys actually bought in to them. That shows a great independance of thought. Ignorant is as Ignorant spews. I feel sorry for you guys.

-5

IN RESPONSE:

westcoaster
Aug 4, 09 7:18 PM CDT

your both screwed anyways, bush didnt start it ad obama is not going to fix it. Its history folks and as the saying goes....well its going to repeat itself http://www.financialsense.com/editorials/quinn/2009/0802.html

| 0 minutes ago

Timinator2K
Aug 4, 09 9:21 AM CDT

Billy C, whilst in NK, don't eat the meat dishes, unless you like pooch-loin or, doggie tartar. Reply

-4

| 0 minutes ago

Mad
Aug 4, 09 10:15 AM CDT

Clinton, like Carter, is a great American statesmen. Tell me: WTF do republicans do when they leave the WH? Anything? Anything at all? Gore won a Noble Peace Prize, also like Carter. I'm serious. I can't think of a single thing any republican ever did of any consequence after leaving office. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 4, 09 9:25 PM CDT

Empty-calm.. No I didn't blame Carter for all of it. History for at least a thousand years contributed. But Carter's lack of support of the Shah, and the lettling back in to Iran of Khomani was a disaster that we are still paying for.

| 0 minutes ago

NewserScooter
Aug 4, 09 10:29 AM CDT

MAD, I mean this in the nicest way, but your nuts. With the exception of the Northern Ireland agreement, most of Clintons Foreign policy collapsed with 9/11. Even the N. Koreans broke their deal before he left office. Carter's FP was a disaster, and led directly to 9-11, Iran, and the Iraq situations. Gore literally bought the peace prize, and it was for the lie of Global Warming. And before you get on your high horse to explain how stupid I am, I will bet I have read more original research and scientific journals on the topic then you, just guessing this, but at least I know what the data shows, not the political spin of it. Reply

-7

IN RESPONSE:

emptycalm
Aug 4, 09 10:45 AM CDT

Only someone completely overcome with propaganda say 9/11 was all carters fault. It was ALL of their foreign policies that caused it. It started back with FDR divvying up the middle east oil. Carter was just a good little politician and kept it going just like every last one of them. But, I think Mad's point is that republicans don't do anything past their terms but complain.

IN RESPONSE:

Serenity
Aug 4, 09 11:22 AM CDT

Obviously you should check the consistency of your "original research." Global Warming is not a lie and I feel sorry for you that you believe that it is. Clinton was president during the greatest economic growth of my generation. I'd vote for him again, if it meant an end to the recession.

IN RESPONSE:

westcoaster
Aug 4, 09 7:20 PM CDT

ah the republican pissing contest.....i see the circus has come to town

IN RESPONSE:

rajanKazhmin
Aug 4, 09 8:39 PM CDT

I'm surprised you know how to operate a computer.

IN RESPONSE:

chas_m
Aug 5, 09 1:47 AM CDT

I've read all your denier/birther/dipshit "research." You are stupid. And wrong. The end.

| 0 minutes ago

schmidtkoff
Aug 4, 09 10:32 AM CDT

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il looks like he morphed into a little tree frog. aside from that if former prez. clinton can pull this off then let the wingnut naysayers shut tfu. yeah the rebubs eh, repubs are as usual clueless and only concerned about their pocketbooks. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 4, 09 10:35 AM CDT

No, we are concerned about the country. Having jobs is a big part of it. If Clinton can get some consessions of NK all the better.

-7

| 0 minutes ago

Caps
Aug 4, 09 10:53 AM CDT

Concerned about the country? What a laugh.!!!!!! All the GOP is concerned about is what they can profit by and stick it into their pockets. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 4, 09 11:04 AM CDT

Yeah those Clintons have never been concerned about a buck, or Soros, or the Kennedys, or the majority of the elected left, and most of Hollywood. All those poor starving left wingers. How do they get by ? And you think I have a problem with reality. Would love to continue to bicker, but I have a job to go to. Lives to save and all that. Ta Tah!

-8

| 0 minutes ago

NewserScooter
Aug 4, 09 11:05 AM CDT

BTW I don't hate the left. And they are not wrong about everything. I suggest you give up hating all the time, and life will be much better for you! You will be happier, without medication even! Reply

-6

IN RESPONSE:

Alexandria
Aug 4, 09 12:32 PM CDT

How in the world do you say the left is hating and then accuse them of needing medication? You're being a bit of a hypocrite. You can disagree with some of the left's view points and decisions, you can think they're not wrong all the time.. but the problem is when you think the right is right all the time.

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 4, 09 9:28 PM CDT

Alexandira.. I have NEVER said the right is correct all the time. That would be NUTS. But conservative philosophy is better for the masses in the long run. It creates more freedoms, and growth for the people. Its better then being a slave to the gov't. The medication remark was a response to the folks that said I missed mine. It was a joke.

IN RESPONSE:

DontLikeYou
Aug 5, 09 12:33 PM CDT

No, the left will not be happy. Mentally, leftists are self-loathing people who want to spread their unhappiness to others like a disease.

| 0 minutes ago

terrie
Aug 4, 09 12:40 PM CDT

Now, don't misunderestimate Dubya. Reply

-1

| 0 minutes ago

Altoecko
Aug 4, 09 2:18 PM CDT

The AP and CNN just confirmed that the journalists got a pardon directly form King Jon Il just now. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

NewserScooter
Aug 4, 09 9:29 PM CDT

I wonder what it cost?

| 0 minutes ago

DontLikeYou
Aug 5, 09 12:31 PM CDT

//// conveying a message from President Obama, saying he and Kim shared a "wide-ranging exchange of views." ///// YES> I agree, Kim Jong Il and Barack Obama share a great many Communist, tyrannical views. WTF? Reply

| 0 minutes ago

iamacidangel
Aug 5, 09 8:23 PM CDT

What a strange picture with Clinton and Kim Jong Il sitting down together. Everytime I see Kim Jong Il, I am just reminded of Team America. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 39 comments »

Hillary Clinton • North Korea • diplomacy • State Department • Bill Clinton • Pyongyang • Obama administration • Euna Lee • Laura Ling

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