Posted on 02/07/2003 5:41:29 AM PST by Stand Watch Listen
The U.S. has notified South Korea of its willingness to withdraw its military from South Korea if such a request is placed by the South Korean side, MBC television reported yesterday.Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, during a meeting on Monday with President-elect Roh Moo-hyun's special envoy Chyung Dai-chul, told him of Washington's intention to initially implement a gradual cutback of forces and redeployment of ground troops to the rear, the network said.
``I agree to the views being spread in South Korea on the removal of U.S. Forces Korea, and the U.S. is willing and ready to do that," Rumsfeld was quoted as saying.
The defense secretary went on to say that he is willing to take any measure regarding the USFK that is what the South Korean public wants, the MBC report said, quoting anonymous sources.
To begin with, Rumsfeld requested that Washington and Seoul start discussing the transfer of USFK bases north of the Han River, including the main Yongsan Base, to locations south of Pyongtaek, some 70 kilometers south of Seoul.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz relayed nearly identical views in a separate meeting with Chang Young-dal, chairman of the national defense committee at the National Assembly Tuesday.
We'll let Seoul be the tripwire...*grin*
I have mixed emotions concerning this one.
Sure is, and what's more, Rummy is loving every minute of this.
And while we're at it, get them out of Germany too.
Hank
US Troop Reduction Reports Denied By Seo Soo-min Staff Reporter Government officials and a senior U.S. diplomat yesterday denied a local television report claiming U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld expressed willingness to withdraw troop stationed here during a meeting with a special envoy of the prersident-elect.
On Thursday, MBC, a public broadcasting station, ran a report quoting Rumsfeld as saying that the United States was ready to consider a reduction of its 37,000-strong troops in Korea if South Koreans wanted.
The remarks, allegedly made by Rumsfeld during meeting with President-elect Roh Moo-hyun¡¯s special envoy Chyung Dai-chul earlier this week, was hotly denied by Chyung himself yesterday morning.
``Secretary Rumsfeld never spoke of pulling out or cutting back United States Forces Korea (USFK),¡¯¡¯ Chyung said in a radio interview from Japan yesterday.
``He only proposed that the two sides start discussing the relocation of USFK units from the densely populated area north of the Han River, including the Yonsan Garrison, as well as the Land Partnership Plan (LPP),¡¯¡¯ Chyung added.
Chyung said he accepted the offer, answering negotiations between military authorities could start after President-elect Roh takes office on Feb. 25.
U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Thomas Hubbard also denied the report, saying, ``We have no intention of withdrawing forces from Korea. Our commitment remains strong to continue the stationing of our forces to deter the North¡¯s threat and keep the regional balance.¡¯¡¯
Hubbard noted the changing local political scene and saw it as an opportunity to change the nature of the U.S.-South Korea alliance.
``This is a good opportunity for us to have a fresh look at ourselves and our partnerships and to adapt to changing times while retaining the fundamental principles that have been so important to us for so long,¡¯¡¯ Hubbard said at a symposium of scholars, diplomats and government officials discussing the South Korea-U.S. alliance and issues affecting it.
Seoul¡¯s Foreign and Defense Ministries also tried to extinguish the fire yesterday, claiming that such a discussion did not take place.
``We have not heard of such a thing,¡¯¡¯ Defense Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Hwang Young-soo said.
While there are differences about the role of USFK in the future, the dominant view in Seoul is that a drastic cutback or pullout of U.S. forces is not desirable. Last time USFK reduction was discussed in depth was in the early 1990s. As first phase I of the East Asia Strategic Initiative, the U.S. reduced troop numbers by 7,00
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200302/kt2003020717154710220.htm
(a) First tour 1979-1980: I would vehemently disagree with any proposal to pull out of Korea, probably with the emphasis of a fist to the nose of the individual making the proposal, having had a very pleasant experience with the populace;
(b) Second tour 1988-1989: I would disagree with the proposal to pull out of Korea, although indicating that I could probably argue both sides of the discussion, having had a reasonably pleasant experience with the populace up by the DMZ but a much less pleasant time with individuals south of Uijongbu/Camp Red Cloud;
(c) Third tour 1993-1994: I would not only agree with the proposal, but would inquire as to when the boats would be made available and could it be done yesterday at the latest. The tide of public opinion was turning against us even up by the DMZ, except for the very oldest people who personally remembered the Korean War.
Now, after hearing from friends who are still in the Army and recently or presently assigned to Korea, I would advocate not only pulling out all of our troops, but liberally bombing both sides of the DMZ with nukes after completing that task.
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