Former U.S. president Clinton arrives in DPRK

www.chinaview.cn 2009-08-04 11:07:14

    

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton delivers his keynote speech during the opening ceremony of the 3rd C40 Large Cities Climate Summit Seoul 2009 in Seoul May 19, 2009(Xinhua/Reuters, File Photo)

PYONGYANG, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton arrived in Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Tuesday. 

He was greeted by Yang Hyong Sop, vice president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, and Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan at the airport. Clinton did not answer any questions asked by reporters. 

DPRK officials did not reveal the purpose of his visit but South Korea's Yonhap news agency said the former U.S. president wanted negotiations to win the release of two detained American journalists. 

"Former President Clinton is en route to Pyongyang," the Yonhap news agency quoted an informed source as saying. "As soon as he arrives there, he will begin negotiations for the release of the journalists." 

The DPRK's highest court sentenced in June two American journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, to 12 years of what it calls "reform through labor." 

The two, who worked for the San Francisco-based Current TV co-founded by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, were captured on March 17 for allegedly crossing the DPRK border from China and committing "hostile actions" against the country.  

Clinton had established good diplomatic relations with North Korea before he left office, but George W. Bush provoked the DPRK when he labeled it a member of the 'Axis of Evil.' It is likely Clinton will also discuss bilateral relations with the DPRK with the hope some of their nuclear ambitions will be abandoned.


source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/04/content_11823278.htm

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