Laura Ling and Euna Lee are headed back the U.S. with Bill Clinton
In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, American journalists Laura Ling, left, and Euna Lee, second right, walk to a chartered plane at an airport in Pyongyang, North Korea on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton left Pyongyang early Wednesday accompanied by Lee and Ling after North Korean leader Kim Jong Il pardoned the two from their 12-year prison sentences.
(AP Photo/Xinhua, Zhang Binyang)
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton greets U.S. journalists Laura Ling (in green) and Euna Lee (in red) as they board a chartered plane at an airport in Pyongyang August 5, 2009 in this photo released by China's official Xinhua News Agency. North Korea said on Wednesday it had pardoned the two jailed American journalists after Clinton met the reclusive state's leader Kim Jong-il, a move some analysts said could pave the way to direct nuclear disarmament talks. REUTERS/Xinhua/Zhang Binyang
Statement by the President on the release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee
For Immediate Release August 5, 2009
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT ON THE RELEASE OF LAURA LING AND EUNA LEE
South Lawn
9:37 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. I want to just make a brief comment about the fact that the two young journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, are safely back with their families. We are obviously extraordinarily relieved. I had an opportunity to speak with the families yesterday once we knew that they were on the plane.
The reunion that we've all seen on television I think is a source of happiness not only for the families but for the entire country.
I want to thank President Bill Clinton -- I had a chance to talk to him -- for the extraordinary humanitarian effort that resulted in the release of the two journalists. I want to thank Vice President Al Gore who worked tirelessly in order to achieve a positive outcome.
I think that not only is this White House obviously extraordinarily happy, but all Americans should be grateful to both former President Clinton and Vice President Gore for their extraordinary work. And my hope is, is that the families that have been reunited can enjoy the next several days and weeks, understanding that because of the efforts of President Clinton and Gore, they are able to be with each other once again.
So we are very pleased with the outcome, and I'm hopeful that the families are going to be able to get some good time together in the next...
Activist and Scholar L. Ling-chi Wang is retiring from the board of the civil rights organization that he co-founded, Chinese for Affirmative Action.
Today, L. Ling-chi Wang steps down from the board of the civil rights organization that he co-founded 40 years ago in San Francisco, the Chinese for Affirmative Action.
Wang, a professor emeritus in ethnic studies at UC Berkeley said he will continue to support CAA's work and says he has great faith in the leadership of Vincent Pan, the current Executive Director of CAA.
Wang fought for equal employment opportunities for Chinese Americans in many industries, including desegregating the all-male, all-white mainstream newsrooms of San Francisco in the late 1960s and early 70s.
Professor Wang will be interviewed by CAA Board of Trustees member Jeff Chang at its annual meeting Thursday February 4, 2010 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm at the YWCA Apartments 940 Powell Street (at Clay Street).
CAA 2010 Membership Meeting
Thursday, February 4, 2010
5:30 pm - 8:30 p.m.
YWCA Apartments
940 Powell Street (at Clay Street)
Featuring a conversation with:
Ling-chi Wang
CAA co-founder and Associate Professor Emeritus of Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley
Jeff Chang
Writer and CAA Trustee
Vincent Pan
CAA Executive Director
Food, drinks, childcare and Cantonese interpretation provided. To RSVP or request childcare and interpretation, please contact Eric at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it....
Statement of Shon Meckfessel on Missing U.S. Hikers
New America Media, Commentary, Shon Meckfessel, Posted: Aug 06, 2009
Editors Note: Three Americans, Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal, have been missing since July 31 after hiking in Iraqi Kurdistan and are reportedly being held by Iranian authorities. Bauer is a correspondent for New America Media. A fourth member of their party, Shon Mecfessel, did not join them that day and has now offered his statement on events, which is published below.
I'm writing this statement to help people understand what happened to my three friends, Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal, who went missing by the Iran/Iraq border. I have been close friends with Shane and Sarah for years, and recently met Josh, a longtime friend of Shane. Shane is a language student and freelance journalist; Sarah is an English teacher, and Josh arranges student exchange trips. All of us have done some writing about our travels, and all of us share a deep appreciation for Middle Eastern cultures.
In late July the four of us decided to travel from Damascus, Syria to Iraqi Kurdistan for a short vacation. Sarah had to return to work in a week. While going there might seem strange to Americans, the Kurdish territory is actually very beautiful and quite safe. Since the Kurds gained autonomy in 1992, no American has ever been harmed there. The city of Sulaimania is increasingly popular with tourists, and a friend of ours told us it was the most beautiful...
Dr. Jim Yong Kim, newly appointed President of Dartmouth College, to speak at KACF 4th Annual Building Bridges Gala
The Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) is honoring Mr. Andrew B. Kim, co-founder of Sit/Kim International Investment and a pioneering Korean American business and philanthropic leader at KACF's 4th annual "Building Bridges" Gala Benefit dinner, on October 21 at Chelsea Piers, Pier 60 in New York. Dr. Jim Yong Kim, newly appointed President of Dartmouth College, will be the evening's keynote speaker.
Dr. Kim recently took office as the 17th President of Dartmouth College and is the first Asian American president of an Ivy League institution. He is an internationally recognized physician, a dedicated educator, and a humanitarian devoted to providing accessible medical treatment to victims of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and other diseases that disproportionately affect world's poorest people.
"We are delighted that an inspiring leader and humanitarian such as Dr. Jim Yong Kim, will be the keynote speaker at our upcoming Gala," says Kyung Yoon, Executive Director of the KACF. "As a public health leader who has devoted his life to addressing global inequities, Dr. Kim exemplifies what it means to be a bridge builder."
The Gala's theme of "building bridges" is based on KACF's vision of a vibrant Korean American community engaged in strengthening out society through philanthropy, volunteerism, and compassionate leadership. Founded in 2002, KACF has become a...