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Bill Clinton 'meets N Korea head' Bill Clinton meets N Korea leader
(about 1 hour later)
Former US President Bill Clinton is reported to have met North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, during an unannounced visit to the country. Former US President Bill Clinton has met North Korean leader Kim Jong-il during an unannounced visit to the country, state media have announced.
Mr Clinton is in Pyongyang to discuss the fate of jailed US journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee.Mr Clinton is in Pyongyang to discuss the fate of jailed US journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee.
He is the highest-profile American to visit since his secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, in 2000.He is the highest-profile American to visit since his secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, in 2000.
Analysts say Mr Clinton may also try to ease the deadlock over the North's nuclear ambitions.Analysts say Mr Clinton may also try to ease the deadlock over the North's nuclear ambitions.
South Korean news agency Yonhap reported that Mr Clinton had passed a message to Kim Jong-il from US President Barack Obama. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said that Mr Clinton had "courteously" conveyed a verbal message from US President Barack Obama, although the White House said that Mr Clinton had not carried a message from Mr Obama.
ANALYSIS John SudworthBBC News, Seoul
According to North Korea's official state media, Kim Jong-il hosted a dinner for the former US president, before the two men exchanged what is described as a "broad range of opinion".
Face-to-face time with the North Korean leader is extremely rare for Western politicians, and granting the opportunity to Bill Clinton could be a sign that he is going to be given what he came for, the release of two American journalists.
Mr Clinton is also reported to have delivered a verbal message from President Obama, but the White House is remaining very tight lipped. It says the case of the journalists must remain separate from wider political issues. Will Clinton visit spark change?
Washington made no announcement of Mr Clinton's trip prior to his arrival, but in a later statement stressed that this was a private visit.Washington made no announcement of Mr Clinton's trip prior to his arrival, but in a later statement stressed that this was a private visit.
US JOURNALISTS JAILED 17 March: Euna Lee, left, and Laura Ling seized by North Korean border guards while reporting for California-based Current TV8 June: Sentenced to 12 years in jail for "hostile acts" and illegal entry into North Korea16 June: North Korea says journalists have "admitted and accepted" their guilt10 July: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appeals for an amnesty for the two4 August: Former US President Bill Clinton arrives in Pyongyang to discuss the journalists' fate class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8183155.stm">Will Clinton visit spark change? "While this solely private mission to secure the release of two Americans is on the ground, we will have no comment," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters.
"While this solely private mission to secure the release of two Americans is on the ground, we will have no comment," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters. "We do not want to jeopardise the success of former President Clinton's mission." "We do not want to jeopardise the success of former President Clinton's mission."
The secrecy surrounding this trip is a sign of its sensitive nature, according to the BBC's correspondent in Seoul, John Sudworth - as well as the fact that this is a gamble by Washington.The secrecy surrounding this trip is a sign of its sensitive nature, according to the BBC's correspondent in Seoul, John Sudworth - as well as the fact that this is a gamble by Washington.
The last visit to North Korea by a former American president - Jimmy Carter in 1994 - led to an important step forward in relations between the two countries, and Mr Clinton may be hoping his trip could have the same effect.The last visit to North Korea by a former American president - Jimmy Carter in 1994 - led to an important step forward in relations between the two countries, and Mr Clinton may be hoping his trip could have the same effect.
But some analysts question the wisdom of such a high-profile visit so soon after North Korea conducted a string of nuclear and missile tests in defiance of the UN Security Council - saying it may be seen by Pyongyang as a reward for bad behaviour.But some analysts question the wisdom of such a high-profile visit so soon after North Korea conducted a string of nuclear and missile tests in defiance of the UN Security Council - saying it may be seen by Pyongyang as a reward for bad behaviour.
Mr Clinton landed in Pyongyang in an unmarked plane and was greeted at the airport by North Korean officials, including chief nuclear negotiator Kim Kye Gwan and Yang Hyong Sop, vice president of parliament. Mr Clinton landed in Pyongyang in an unmarked plane and was greeted at the airport by North Korean officials, including chief nuclear negotiator Kim Kye-gwan and Yang Hyong-sop, vice president of parliament.
As he stepped down from the plane, a little girl came forward to present him with a bouquet of flowers.As he stepped down from the plane, a little girl came forward to present him with a bouquet of flowers.
'Entering negotiations''Entering negotiations'
No official itinerary for the visit has been announced, but South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted a source as saying: "As soon as [Bill Clinton] arrives, he will be entering negotiations with the North for the release of the female journalists." No official itinerary for the visit has been announced.
US JOURNALISTS JAILED 17 March: Euna Lee, left, and Laura Ling seized by North Korean border guards while reporting for California-based Current TV8 June: Sentenced to 12 years in jail for "hostile acts" and illegal entry into North Korea16 June: North Korea says journalists have "admitted and accepted" their guilt10 July: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appeals for an amnesty for the two4 August: Former US President Bill Clinton arrives in Pyongyang to discuss the journalists' fate
There had been speculation that Mr Clinton might see leader Kim Jong-il, whom analysts say is eager to improve relations with Washington as he prepares to name a successor.There had been speculation that Mr Clinton might see leader Kim Jong-il, whom analysts say is eager to improve relations with Washington as he prepares to name a successor.
Mr Kim is thought to have suffered a stroke a year ago, and also has chronic diabetes and heart disease. Analysts say his third son is already being lined up to take over power one day.Mr Kim is thought to have suffered a stroke a year ago, and also has chronic diabetes and heart disease. Analysts say his third son is already being lined up to take over power one day.
The treatment of the journalists sparked rallies in South Korea
Laura Ling and Euna Lee were found guilty of entering North Korea illegally across the Chinese border in March, and sentenced to 12 years' hard labour.Laura Ling and Euna Lee were found guilty of entering North Korea illegally across the Chinese border in March, and sentenced to 12 years' hard labour.
They were arrested by North Korean guards while filming a video about refugees for California-based internet broadcaster Current TV.They were arrested by North Korean guards while filming a video about refugees for California-based internet broadcaster Current TV.
According to North Korea's state news agency KCNA, the two reporters have admitted entering the country illegally. According to KCNA, the two reporters have admitted entering the country illegally.
But the women's families have always claimed that Lee, 36, and Ling, 32, had no intention of crossing into North Korea.But the women's families have always claimed that Lee, 36, and Ling, 32, had no intention of crossing into North Korea.
They fear the two reporters may become political pawns in negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang, amid growing tensions over North Korea's nuclear programme. They fear the two reporters may become political pawns in negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang.
Last month Mrs Clinton requested an amnesty for the women asking that they be allowed to return home. Last month US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton requested an amnesty for the women asking that they be allowed to return home.
Former releasesFormer releases
This is not the first time a senior US statesman has gone to North Korea to negotiate for the release of American citizens.This is not the first time a senior US statesman has gone to North Korea to negotiate for the release of American citizens.
In 1994, then-congressman Bill Richardson - now governor of New Mexico - helped negotiate the release of Bobby Hall, one of two pilots of a US army helicopter shot down after straying into North Korea.In 1994, then-congressman Bill Richardson - now governor of New Mexico - helped negotiate the release of Bobby Hall, one of two pilots of a US army helicopter shot down after straying into North Korea.
Two years later he negotiated the release of Evan Hunziker, who was detained on suspicion of spying after swimming the Yalu river border.Two years later he negotiated the release of Evan Hunziker, who was detained on suspicion of spying after swimming the Yalu river border.
The last former US president to visit Pyongyang was Jimmy Carter, who visited Kim Jong-il's late father Kim Il-sung in 1994 under Mr Clinton's presidency. Critics say that Mr Clinton's trip - coming so soon after North Korea launched a nuclear test - will be exploited for maximum propaganda value by Pyongyang.
That visit is credited with helping push through a breakthrough accord a few months later. Although Bill Clinton's arrival was covered by North Korea's evening television news, it was not until after apparently more newsworthy items, such as the improving quality standards at a biscuit factory, our correspondent in Seoul says.
But critics say that Mr Clinton's trip - coming so soon after North Korea launched a nuclear test - will be exploited for maximum propaganda value by Pyongyang.
This does not immediately seem to be the case, though.
Bill Clinton's arrival was covered by North Korea's evening television news, but not until after apparently more newsworthy items, such as the improving quality standards at a biscuit factory, our correspondent says.
What do you hope Bill Clinton's mission will achieve? Send us your views.What do you hope Bill Clinton's mission will achieve? Send us your views.
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