Congratulations Former President Clinton for facilitating the release of two American journalists in North Korea.
“SEOUL, South Korea – North Korean leader Kim Jong Il issued a “special pardon” freeing two jailed American journalists after talks with former U.S. President Bill Clinton, North Korea’s official news agency announced Wednesday.”
Click on link to read entire article about pardon of American jornalists in North Korea.
First Former President Clinton is a fabulous emissary for President Obama to call upon in humanitarian international negotiations like these. The former president has credibility around the world especially in the Far East and Europe. It appears that he has handled this situation very well.
Second Secretary of State Clinton has not been very credible in the Far East so far. She has made some notable gaffes including her continuing childish words between her and leaders in North Korea.
” An unnamed North Korean official quoted by the state-run KCNA news agency calls Clinton “by no means intelligent” and a “funny lady.”
“Sometimes she looks like a primary schoolgirl and sometimes a pensioner going shopping,” he said.
The remarks seem to be a reply to Clinton’s comments to ABC News in which she compared North Korea’s leadership to “small children and unruly teenagers and people who are demanding attention.””
Overall SOS Clinton has done a solid job in many areas around the world promoting President Obama’s reconciliation with our allies and negotiations with our foes. Our relations in Europe including Rusia has been much more productive and our backward relationships with Mideast nations are starting to improve. But our negotiations with North Korea have stalled completely. Maybe it’s time for Former President Clinton to get North Korea to come back to the table on preventing proliferation of nuclear weapons.
It’s been amusing watching the virtual traitors on Fox attacking the rescuing of Americans by Clinton and the Obama Admin.
It’s not just a put down, the right wing really do want the worst for America and Americans. If Obama announced the cure to cancer, they’d howl about how awful that is and how terribly that will impact the nation’s future because Americans won’t be dying as young.
As for Hillary’s comment about NK as teenagers, I do agree with her point but it’s way out of line for a SoS to publicly say that.
Let’s face it, Hillary does not make a good diplomat, she hasn’t the temperament for it. Whereas, Bill Clinton is a pro at it.
Really, when you think about this incident, doesn’t it underline that she’s not as capable to deal with issues as Bill is? She’s still in his shadow and snide insults about key nations we need to bring back to the table won’t help.
If you know someone acts immaturely as Kim does, is it really very clever to insult them and make them upset? Unfortunately, you have to deal with this dick like he was an unruly child or pet, carrots and sticks, but done so strategically.
Kim wants attention and does all kinds of bullshit until he gets it. It’s a weakness, a good strategist would use it against him surreptitiously. Not get into a slap fight.
The SoS position was likely part of the deal for the Clintons to support Obama after he won the primary. In the end, with Bill as part of the package, it’s now proven so far to be a decent arrangement for all involved despite Hillary’s shortcomings.
Face it Hillary has BPD. Which means she says inappropriate things in public. However every report I’ve heard about her is that face to face she is engaging, thoughtful and effective. Of course when she wants to be.
I think that makes her less effective on broad issues but President Obama has always been his own best ambassador on strategic foreign policy issues.
The biggest thing this administration has going for it is all the special envoys which are all proven to be effective diplomats. Look at our deals around Afghanistan in particular. They are a quantum leap better than Bush made.
That was one thing I was excited about with Obama, the Dems have a deep bench on skilled and effective people as opposed to the Boltons, Rumsfelds and Heckuva-Job-Brownies the Repubs are left with.
I just wish we could get this health reform passed so first of all we have it and second of all, there are no more political necessities to hold back his admin and people from moving policy forward on all fronts.
This stall tactic to pass health care is very frustrating.