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.
...and the Balkans.
Well of course THEY do... ;0)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.