Judge approves Watergate release

29 July 2011 Last updated at 20:27 GMT Richard Nixon resigned following the Watergate political scandal The secret grand jury testimony given by former US President Richard Nixon over the Watergate scandal is set to be released after more than 36 years, following an order by a federal judge.

Judge Royce Lamberth granted a request by historian Stanley Kutler to release the transcript, citing of its historical significance.

But it will not be unsealed until the government has had a chance to appeal.

The political scandal prompted Nixon to resign in 1974.

Nixon, who died 17 years ago, was the only US president to resign.

He left office amid the fallout after a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington.

Nixon testified for two days in California in June 1975, 10 months after his resignation.

Judge Lamberth ruled that the historical interest in the 297-page transcript far outweighed the need to keep the records secret.

Watergate's "significance in American history cannot be overstated," Judge Lamberth wrote.

"The disclosure of President Nixon's grand jury testimony would likely enhance the existing historical record, foster scholarly discussion and improve the public's understanding of a significant historical event," he said.

Mr Kutler, a professor from the University of Wisconsin, has written several books about Nixon and Watergate and has previously successfully sued to force the release of audio recordings Nixon secretly made in the Oval Office.

"Nixon knew when you testified before a grand jury you exposed yourself to perjury, so I'm betting he told the truth," Mr Kutler said.

"Now, what did he tell the truth about? I don't know."

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N Korea 'to release US citizen'

27 May 2011 Last updated at 08:40 GMT North Korea has detained US nationals in the past: Aijalon Gomes was held for seven months North Korea says it is releasing an American citizen it has been holding for six months on unspecified charges.

Eddie Jun Yong-su would be freed on humanitarian grounds following repeated requests by visiting US officials, the KCNA state news agency said.

South Korean newspapers have said the Korean-American was involved in Christian missionary work.

The officially atheist North views organised religious activity as a potential challenge to the leadership.

The quote from North Korea's news agency said Mr Jun was being released for humanitarian reasons, after three separate US-led delegations to Pyongyang had asked for forgiveness.

The US special envoy for human rights, Robert King, is visiting North Korea this week to asses the food situation there - the first step in deciding whether to restart US food aid to the country.

According to the report, Mr King had expressed regret for the incident and said he would do his best to stop it recurring.

Two other American-led delegations visiting North Korea in a private capacity during the past few weeks have also pressed for his release, says the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Seoul.

North Korea has accused Mr Jun of committing a "grave crime" in North Korea, one - the agency said - that he himself had frankly admitted to.

It is believed he may have been carrying out missionary work while visiting the Communist state on business trips.

The North Korean news report stresses that Mr Jun was well-treated during his time in custody, and was allowed diplomatic contact, as well as family phone calls and hospital treatment.

It is not clear when Mr Jun - who is the latest in a series of Americans to be detained by Pyongyang - would be released.

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