Fair Trial?

" Greece has the trial of two American journalists that held there has now begun to Laura -- in you know clear their names they were captured in March while reporting along the Chinese border with North Korea. They stand accused of illegally entering North Korea and other quote hostile acts these two women work for current TV which is the channel -- started by former vice president Al Gore based in San Francisco. And that were friends and supporters gathered at City Hall calling for their release Laura's sister Lisa Ling who you may know was a former host of ABC's the view. She broke down while speaking to the crowd about her sister take a listen. I -- here. They're being charged with illegal entry and -- My sister is strong but there's nothing -- about her. You know -- the moment most in the killing four year old daughter. Hardly threatening character. Let's bring in Bob -- he is the Asia program coordinator with the committee to protect journalists he's been speaking with the family and has the story very well he's on the phone with us now. Bob what's the strategy here we did not hear from the family for so long and then suddenly in the past couple of days they've been speaking publicly."

" I think they -- eight very much -- he gave an I think they were hurt you that by the State Department. The situation obviously is very generous. That don't want want to really complicate. This issue with with all the other security issues on the on the cookbook chronicle definitely -- is that they were greatest longest possible. But what the trial that was set. I think it felt they had to act unilaterally abandoned moved ahead and certainly he's public appearances."

" What do you know about how these two women are being treated."

" They're not being abused in this is from apparently themselves. They've received couple phone calls and there's been several letters that we're. They're being held separately. Not -- with each other there in a -- guesthouse here well basically what amounts to a hotel. Pyongyang. They're not being physically abused her or tortured -- anyway. Having said that about prudently and I think this clearly intimidated not clearly worried about the future."

" Bob -- we know they're not being abused or psychologically intimidated because that's what. They're telling their families in these letters through phone calls are those communications monitored."

" Of course the -- They would go in and out of there but we also have. Contact from the was bastards Pyongyang. Who's actually seen them. Yes although it not. Not the very recently but there's sort of initially -- the emperor who quit while you visits. He was reporting -- By the look at this situation I don't think it's in North Korea's interest -- take a hard line with with these two women I think they see them as is very valuable. Sort of bargaining chips in the in the situation room the -- and that they'll treat them now."

" It Bill Richardson New Mexico governor who was involved of several years ago in releasing hostage there's somebody who had. Jumped into a river and swam across the border I used to treat distracted there is an unstable person. Yes and Richardson has said that these women most likely. You would probably guess would be convicted eighty cents -- in a day -- you very quickly he said that is the time once their sentence that is when you start negotiating where do you see this going."

" pretty much like governor Richardson laid it out. You don't see the trial is the end point of the situation of this I'm on a fugitive as an important -- went one step. It and in the in a series of negotiations. To get them out of there. The trick that the State Department faces is. Making that hotline as short as possible. And -- separating the issue these two women of all these other all legal problems peninsula."

" What about let us know if anything develops hear anything today -- he's with the committee to protect journalists and we're waiting for any sort of word as Greg -- reported at the top of the hour by nine hours ago I was on we got -- that this trial has begun. So we'll bring anything as we get it takes off."