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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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 ANALYSIS 
6

Rescue Mission Puts Spotlight on Bill's Contacts

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(Newser) – The same sprawling network of business and political contacts that caused trouble with Hillary Clinton's confirmation as secretary of state helped her husband secure the release of Euna Lee and Laura Ling, the Washington Post reports. Private donors paid for Bill Clinton's trip to North Korea, and the former president handpicked the team that came with him, which included his former chief of staff.

The Obama administration was careful to distance itself from the mission, although officials confirm they had been told the women would be released if Clinton traveled to Pyongyang. The secretary of state, meanwhile, took pains to point out that her husband's visit doesn't signal a shift in American policy toward North Korea. But she acknowledged diplomatic benefits could follow.  "Perhaps they will now be willing to start talking to us," she said yesterday.

Bill Clinton meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in Pyonggyang, North Korea, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009.
Bill Clinton meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in Pyonggyang, North Korea, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009.   (AP Photo/Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service)
Bill Clinton arrives in Pyongyang, North Korea Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009.
Bill Clinton arrives in Pyongyang, North Korea Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009.   (AP Photo/Korean Central News Agency )
Bill Clinton arrives in Pyongyang, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009.
Bill Clinton arrives in Pyongyang, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009.   (AP Photo/Xinhua, Zhang Binyang)
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I want to be sure people don't confuse what Bill did, which was a private humanitarian mission to bring these young women home, with our policy, which continues to be one that gives choices to North Korea.
- Hillary Clinton

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6 comments
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Revenge_of_Mint
Aug 6, 09 4:51 AM CDT
I really wonder what kind of powers and contacts you retain as a former president.... Reply
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+2
oldgoat
Aug 6, 09 4:54 AM CDT
Seems like I heard that Clinton only went after he was told that if he showed up they would be released. The wheeling and dealing was already done and he was told not to get into politics and making any kind of statements for the gov. Reply
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+2
cochiserocks
Aug 6, 09 5:01 AM CDT
It's refreshing to see money and power used in such a relatively unselfish way. Of course he gets props, but flying to N.Korea is always going to be a pain in the arse for a man who doesn't have to prove anything Reply
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+9
matteo
Aug 6, 09 6:47 AM CDT
grande Bill !! Reply
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-1
aceraspire
Aug 6, 09 6:51 AM CDT
he is a god amongst salesmen Reply
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+1

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