North Korea 'disappointed' that U.S. offered only a letter in exchange for prisoners

[webfact]

North Korea 'Disappointed' That U.S. Offered Only a Letter in Exchange for Prisoners
The American director of national intelligence remains optimistic.
ALLEN MCDUFFEE

WASHINGTON: -- In an interview that aired on Sunday on CBS's Face The Nation, U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper described his secret mission to North Korea last week to seek the release of two American prisoners as a reason for optimism—even if North Korean officials were "disappointed" that all he had to offer was a letter from President Obama.

"I think the major message from them was their disappointment that there wasn’t some offer or some big—again, the term they used was 'breakthrough,'" Clapper said about his trip to Pyongyang.

"We weren't sure how this was going to play out," said Clapper, adding, "I, personally, was not completely confident that they would actually release our two citizens."

The two Americans—Kenneth Bae, a 46-year-old missionary from Washington state sentenced to 15 years hard labor in 2013 for unspecified crimes, and Matthew Todd Miller, 24, sentenced to six years for "hostile acts" against the state—were released after secret negotiations that involved Clapper, the Swedish government, and North Korean officials.

Full story: http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/11/clapper-describes-secret-mission-to-north-korea-to-free-bae-and-miller/382809/

-- The Atlantic 2014-11-17

[lust]

What do you expect when the USA doesn't want them lol. North Korea just passing the buck

[Robby nz]

Wonder what was in the letter, dietary and hair cutting advice.

[NeverSure]

Wonder what was in the letter, dietary and hair cutting advice.

You owe me a cup of coffee. Spilled it all over.

[notmyself]

These two knowingly broke the law and should have been left there.

[snowgard]

But again and again STUPID Americans goes North Korea!!!

They NEVER will learn it!!!

[Seastallion]

These two knowingly broke the law and should have been left there.

Yep.

The US government would be doing a far better thing looking into US citizens locked up in Thailand. If they've broken the law, then too bad, but I feel sure there are some who have been stitched up.

What happened to the guy caught trying to swim to Suu Kyi's residence in Burma a few years ago? Did he get rescued?

Edited November 17, 2014 by Seastallion

[klauskunkel]

...but those two wanted to be rescued by Navy SEAL Delta Force S.W.A.T. commando Chuck Norris,...this ending is boring...no movie deal now!

[Frank James]

Wonder what was in the letter, dietary and hair cutting advice.

There's a rumor that Kim Jong Un will be joining the cast of "The Peaky Blinders." He's got the official haircut.

[notmyself]

These two knowingly broke the law and should have been left there.

Yep.

The US government would be doing a far better thing looking into US citizens locked up in Thailand. If they've broken the law, then too bad, but I feel sure there are some who have been stitched up.

Happy to agree with that

What happened to the guy caught trying to swim to Suu Kyi's residence in Burma a few years ago? Did he get rescued?

I don't recall. I recall the event where he stayed the night but don't know what happened after that.

Most of these people over the years have been Christians trying to spread the good news in a country that does not want to hear it so have taken it upon themselves to enter illegally or entered legally under false pretences. The usual reason given for release is that the person is suffering from mental issues which is a cop out really as Christianity is in itself a mental issue from the get go.

[Chris Lawrence]

So did the little fat kid want money or a ride on Roy Rogers horse?

Yippee Ky-yay mother forkers

[notmyself]

So did the little fat kid want money or a ride on Roy Rogers horse?

Yippee Ky-yay mother forkers:whistling:

[elgordo38]

Times are tough. In the past they always got a few thousand barrels of oil. I agree people should be staying away from these danger zones you could loose your noggin. Somewhere sometime the onis has to be on the person to realize where danger is and stay away.

[IAMHERE]

Wonder what was in the letter, dietary and hair cutting advice.

Home remedy for gout most likely.

[JacChang]

For all those days, the gracious leader of North Korean, provided food and shelter for those americans.......

Atleast, Obama should have fedex some cheese in a package back to kim doon donng

[Ulic]

I am glad they were released but not sure when people will learn not to pursue personal agendas

and break the law in countries like North Korea. Yes the laws are stupid and go contrary to laws

and rights in there home countries but that is the law of the land.

[jacko45k]

But again and again STUPID Americans goes North Korea!!!

They NEVER will learn it!!!

They go to Syria too, with mostly good intentions but extremely ill advised.

[pomchop]

These two knowingly broke the law and should have been left there.

Yep.

The US government would be doing a far better thing looking into US citizens locked up in Thailand. If they've broken the law, then too bad, but I feel sure there are some who have been stitched up.

Happy to agree with that

What happened to the guy caught trying to swim to Suu Kyi's residence in Burma a few years ago? Did he get rescued?

I don't recall. I recall the event where he stayed the night but don't know what happened after that.

Most of these people over the years have been Christians trying to spread the good news in a country that does not want to hear it so have taken it upon themselves to enter illegally or entered legally under false pretences. The usual reason given for release is that the person is suffering from mental issues which is a cop out really as Christianity is in itself a mental issue from the get go.

Imagine if Thailand had a law against those who come to proselytize....would clear a bunch of Bible Beaters right out....do Thai people who have their own spiritual beliefs that are around 500 years older than Christianity really need bible beaters to tell them that the Thai belief is all wrong and that they the all knowing arrogant Christians have it all right.

I think not.

[notmyself]

Imagine if Thailand had a law against those who come to proselytize....would clear a bunch of Bible Beaters right out....do Thai people who have their own spiritual beliefs that are around 500 years older than Christianity really need bible beaters to tell them that the Thai belief is all wrong and that they the all knowing arrogant Christians have it all right.

I think not.

Don't remember if it was the Mormons or JWs but some 4-5 years ago one was given a warning for their aggressive proselytising

[Langsuan Man]

Maybe the US should return to the days when your US Passport had on the inside cover:

Not valid for travel to Cuba or North Korea (there was one other country listed but my addled old brain can't remember what it was, I think, it was Libya )