Thursday, September 4, 2014

North Korea Trying to Use American Detainees Like Pawns

North Korea allowed three detained Americans to speak briefly with Western reporters Monday, and the prisoners all asked for the United States to have a high-ranking official negotiate directly for their release.
Jeffrey Edward Fowle, 56, of Miamisburg, Ohio
By allowing the interviews, North Korea is signaling it may be prepared to make a deal for the prisoners' release but first wants direct talks with the United States, former U.N. ambassador Bill Richardson says.
"The North Koreans are sending signals to the U.S. that they are ready to deal,'' Richardson, who has negotiated with North Korean leaders for release of detained Americans, told USA TODAY. "Specifically, they are saying that the three Americans are bargaining chips.''
Matthew Miller, 24, of Bakersfield, CA
North Korean officials orchestrated brief interviews with the three Americans by the Associated Press and CNN. Two of them said they expect to face trial soon, though they do not know the specific charges against them or potential punishment.
North Korea says Jeffrey Edward Fowle, 56, of Miamisburg, Ohio, and Matthew Miller, 24, of Bakersfield, Calif., committed acts that violated their legal status as tourists.
Kenneth Bae, 46, a Korean American serving a
15-year term at hard labor
Kenneth Bae, 46, a Korean American serving a 15-year term at hard labor, was allowed to speak with the journalists at a meeting center in Pyongyang. He said his health has deteriorated at the labor camp, where he has lost 15 pounds and suffers back pain. His family has said his health problems include diabetes, an enlarged heart and liver problems.
Richardson said in a phone interview that the North Korean regime of Kim Jong Un is eager to regain world attention after the global focus has been on crises elsewhere.
Read the rest of the story HERE.

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