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US delegation in North Korea for ‘status’ of Korean-American inmate
A US delegation including former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt has arrived in North Korea to “inquire the status” of a Korean-American US citizen held in Pyongyang.
Reports say the delegation is expected to hold talks with North Korean officials about Kenneth Bae.
North Korean media said Bae had been arrested for carrying a computer hard disk which contained ‘sensitive information’ related to North Korea.
Richardson, who is also a former US ambassador to the United Nations, said on Monday that the delegation was “going to ask about the American who’s been detained” and that it was a “humanitarian private visit.”
“We’re going to try to inquire the status, see if we can see him; possibly lay the groundwork for him coming home.”
On January 3, the White House expressed displeasure at the planned visit by Richardson and Schmidt to North Korea.
US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said, “Frankly, we don’t think the timing of this is particularly helpful, but they are private citizens and they are making their own decisions.”
“They are well aware of the US government’s view on this,” Nuland stated.
“They are traveling in an unofficial capacity. They are not going to be accompanied by any US officials. They are not carrying any messages from us,” Nuland added.
The US State Department spokesperson said the “recent actions” by the North Korean government was the reason behind Washington’s opposition to the visit.
On December 12, 2012, Pyongyang said it had launched a long-range rocket from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station and successfully placed a satellite into orbit.
The rocket launch also drew widespread criticism from the UN Security Council and the European Union.
Washington and its allies say the rocket launch was a cover for testing an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/01/07/…or-inmate/
2013-01-07 16:49:48
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