WASHINGTON (CNN) -- It took a U.S. former president with global celebrity status to free two American journalists from a North Korea prison. Former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore greets freed U.S. journalist Laura Ling. Laura Ling and Euna Lee arrived back in the United States Wednesday morning with former President Bill Clinton, who flew to North Korea to negotiate their release after they were sentenced to a labor camp. Iain Clayton said Wednesday that his wife, Laura, told him through a telephone conversation that the North Koreans were willing to grant the two journalists amnesty if a high-level envoy, such as former President Clinton, were willing to travel to Pyongyang.
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Former President Clinton talked with national security adviser before trip
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Clinton made it clear that his trip was strictly humanitarian, officials say
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Meetings with North Korean leader totaled a little over three hours
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Former VP Al Gore was "vigorously involved" in effort to free journalists
In the end, it was Clinton whom @placeholder wanted.