by Mary Teresa Fowler

Created on: August 17, 2009

Five Steps to Freedom and a Pardon

Following his impeachment in 2000, then-president Bill Clinton publicly expressed "no interest" in a pardon. On August 4, 2009, the former US president made a private request for a pardon - but not to an impeachment committee and not for himself. Clinton met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to secure the freedom of two US journalists.

Earlier in the year, Laura Ling and Euna Lee had been arrested by North Korean authorities at the North Korean-Chinese border. Charged with engaging in hostile acts in March 2009, Ling and Lee were later convicted and sentenced to twelve years of hard labor. The two journalists were freed after Clinton's August meeting in Pyongyang with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. Five major steps led to their final freedom and this memorable pardon.

1. Clinton's Appeal

A month previous to Clinton's visit to Pyongyang, his wife - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton - had appealed for amnesty for the journalists. In July, the Secretary of State noted the reporters' remorse and indicated that everyone was sorry about the entire affair. From the beginning of this crisis to its final resolution, the US government insisted, however, that there was never any apology offered to North Korea.

2. Clinton's Choice

North Korea officials had earlier expressed their willingness to welcome the former US president. The current US government organized the strategy and Clinton was the obvious choice for the mission. Clinton eagerly embraced the humanitarian opportunity.

3. Clinton's Meeting

Based on their history during Clinton's presidency, the meeting with the North Korean leader was expected to be a success. The US government maintained that securing freedom for the journalists was the sole goal of this high-stakes encounter. US officials claimed that Clinton didn't bring any message from President Obama.

4. Clinton's Success

Analysts suggest that there was little doubt of a failed mission by the time Clinton entered the picture. Speculation abounds that Clinton would not have taken on the task without a guarantee of success. Clinton was the face of that success and was soon en route to the US with the freed journalists.

5. Clinton's Homecoming

Clinton didn't return home alone and the journalists' homecoming was a time for private and public celebration. In addition to the reporters' families, Al Gore, former vice-president and co-founder of their media employer, was present when their plane landed in the US. The freed journalists landed at Bob Hope International Airport in Burbank, California.

This airport, named in honor of the famous comedian Bob Hope, appeared to be a perfect place to welcome the pardoned reporters. Their return brought smiles to the faces of family and friends as well as officials. Clinton must also find much to smile about at the end of this effort. History should look favorably on his recent role in this pardon. When Clinton commented on a pardon in 2000, the circumstances were not as complementary to a perfect professional image.

The recent pardon of Ling and Lee frees Clinton to continue his humanitarian efforts while distancing himself from the earlier impeachment era. The journalists' freedom and the granted pardon is a perfect example of the power of communication at its best. This successful collaborative effort is a positive development on a private, public, and international level.

Learn more about this author, Mary Teresa Fowler.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.