White House mostly mum on Clinton's NKorea mission

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The White House took a tight-lipped stance Tuesday on former President Clinton's visit to North Korea to press for the release of two jailed Americans arrested in March.

"While this solely private mission to secure the release of the two Americans is on the ground, we will have no comment," said a statement by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. "We do not want to jeopardize the success of former President Clinton's mission."

Clinton earlier landed in North Korea on a private jet.

Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., said earlier Tuesday he hoped that Clinton's visit to Pyongyang would yield some progress on the difficult standoff between the United States and North Korea on nuclear issues.

Interviewed on NBC's "Today" show, Graham said he saw no problem with Clinton taking the lead on resolving the issue of the two women arrested in March. The Clinton visit was reminiscent of some missions that Bill Richardson, now the governor of New Mexico, had taken in the past.


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Graham: "the "world is watching" how the leaders of North Korea will interact with Clinton and said it's time for Pyongyang's regime to "step up to the plate" and release the pair."

"You would expect that you would not send a former president knowing that he is not likely to be successful," Graham said. "Maybe we can build on this to do something better with nuclear weapons. ... I don't know if this is the beginning of something bigger."

Update: Politico

http://www.politico.com/politico44/

BREAKING: White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says in an e-mailed statement about President Bill Clinton's trip to North Korea: "While this solely private mission to secure the release of two Americans is on the ground, we will have no comment. We do not want to jeopardize the success of former President Clinton's mission."

MORE -- FROM PLAYBOOK: "North Korean officials told relatives that they would release the women to Clinton, and the family then approached the former president. The White House approved the mission. Secret preparations went on for week. It may be a long day for Robert Gibbs, because the White House doesn’t plan to issue a statement until the women are on free soil."

Instead of having the White House make a hand for him in the press he may not be able to play in N. Korea. I would let Bill control the press releases on this so it's doesn't sabotage his efforts.

The best thing they can do is to stay quite for now.

Blabbing now will do no good.

There will be plenty of time for press releases, etc. Let Clinton close the deal and get the ladies home first.

Am I the only one who wonders exactly what kind of Secret preparations went on for a week? Are they
hinting that the big dog may not have done it on charm alone?

It really doesn't matter tho - they are or will be home with family soon.

the last week involved planning the logistics and the WH deciding to informally "send" Clinton.

There has been quite diplomacy for months. Senator Kerry was one of the people most involved in that - and he was the only other person they were willing to take.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8569429