Lisa Ling on Sister Laura: She's 'Really Anxious' to Eat Fresh Food

Lisa Ling described her sister as being "exhausted," revealing what she's looking forward to: "She said she's really, really anxious to eat fresh fruit and fresh food. She was telling us how there were rocks in her rice…she's just anxious to eat fresh food. I know that there will be a sushi dinner at some point really soon."

Ling went on to praise her younger sister for her strength, expressing her deep sense of gratitude for her release: "My sister is an incredible journalist, and an incredibly smart woman, but to me she’s my little sister and so not being able to communicate with her, not being able to see her or talk to her on a regular basis, was devastating. So to be able to look into her eyes…was absolutely indescribable."

She goes on to say her sister is "a little bit weak right now," adding that she's too tired to speak.

Laura's husband, Iain Clayton, confirmed reports that it was Laura who told her family members that she believed that a visit from President Bill Clinton could secure their release.

Following a visit from President Clinton, Laura Ling and Euna Lee were issued a "special pardon" from North Korea. They were convicted and imprisoned by the North Korean government for allegedly entering the country illegally last March.

Published 8/5/09 by