    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
    [December 29, 1994]
    [Pages 2206-2207]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Release of Bobby Hall by North Korea and an
    Exchange With Reporters
    December 29, 1994

        The President. Good evening. I have just spoken with Army Chief
    Warrant Officer Bobby Hall. He's crossed the Demilitarized Zone to
    freedom. He's safe. His medical condition is currently being evaluated.
    But we had a good visit, and he said he was feeling well.

    [[Page 2207]]

        Chief Warrant Officer Hall was held for too long after his
    helicopter strayed off course on a routine training mission. But we are
    very glad that he has been released and is now in freedom.
        Earlier this evening, I called his wife, Donna, to tell her that he
    would be released and how pleased we all were. I know that all Americans
    join me in sharing the Halls' happiness that they and their loved ones
    will now be able to be together and celebrate New Year's, reunited as a
    family.
        At the same time, I know I can speak for all Americans in saying
    that we, once again, send our deep condolences to the family of Chief
    Warrant Office David Hilemon, who died in the same incident. So as we
    welcome the release of Chief Warrant Officer Hall we must also remember
    the supreme sacrifice and the service made by his comrade in arms.
        We wish all the families our best. We thank them all for their
    service and their devotion of our country. We wish them Godspeed in the
    new year.
        Thank you very much.
        Q. Mr. President, can you tell us, sir, what the United States may
    have given up in this deal? And the fact that the agreement signed talks
    about future contacts with the North, was that a concession to the
    North, and does that cut out South Korea?
        The President. No. And the briefings will make that clear. The terms
    of the agreement are clear from their own words. And we were faithful to
    all of our commitments to our allies and to our commitments to our own
    policy.
        And I want to thank the team that worked very hard on this. They did
    a very good job. They performed with dedication, with great discipline,
    and I'm very pleased by the way it was handled.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:50 p.m. in the Briefing Room at the
    White House.