Thaindian News

Aug 6 (IBNS) Americans waited with a bated breath yesterday for the two scribes - Laura Ling and Euna Lee - to arrive at a hangar located at the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California.

Doug Ling, Laura Ling’s father and Iain Clayton, Laura Ling’s husband expressed their gratitude and anxiousness of seeing her again.

Expressing gratitude to former US President Bill Clinton, Iain Clayton said: I’m extremely grateful for him, obviously for President Obama as well as Secretary Clinton, and for Vice-President Al Gore as well. I can’t wait. It’s been about 140 days and so we, you know, we are obviously overjoyed that she’s going to be back here.

President Bill Clinton in the plane provided for the reunion by Steve Bing of Shangri-la Entertainment, included former Vice President Al Gore and seasoned journalist, Lisa Ling, Laura Ling’s sister.

The plane pulled into the hangar, the stairs were lowered and the railing extensions were brought inside. The doors opened as anticipation gripped everyone inside the hangar as well as those watching from home.

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.

Clinton, who arrived in North Korea Tuesday on an unannounced visit, met with the reclusive and ailing Kim for talks described by Pyongyang as “exhaustive.” It was Kim’s first meeting with a prominent Western figure since his reported stroke nearly a year ago.

The release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who were arrested March 17 near the China-North Korea border, was a sign of North Korea’s “humanitarian and peace-loving policy,” the Korean Central News Agency reported.

State media said Clinton apologized on behalf of the women and relayed President Barack Obama’s gratitude. The report said the visit would “contribute to deepening the understanding” between North Korea and the U.S.