ROK READOUT OF UNSYG ANNAN'S VISIT

UNCLAS SEOUL 001680

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC KS
SUBJECT: ROK READOUT OF UNSYG ANNAN'S VISIT



1. (SBU) On May 17, Oh Young-ju, MOFAT's Deputy Director for
the UN Division, provided poloff with a brief readout of UN
Secretary General Kofi Annan's visit to Seoul. During his

SIPDIS
May 14-16 visit to the ROK, Annan met with President Roh,
Foreign Minister Ban, and visited Seoul National University.


2. (SBU) Deputy Director Oh said that in his meeting with
Foreign Minister Ban, UNSYG Annan raised several topics,
including UN reform, developmental assistance, Iran,
inter-Korean relations, North Korea, and ROK-Japanese
relations. Ban stressed Seoul's support for UN reform,
including the establishment of the Human Rights Council and
the Peacebuilding Commission, calling them positive steps
toward making the UN more competent and more efficient. Ban
also welcomed Annan's reform proposal called "Investing in
the UN." Seoul planned to resolve its arrears to the UN by
2008, as well as double its overseas development aid to
Africa by 2009. Annan replied that international health and
humanitarian, as well as natural disaster relief efforts,
required increased financial support from UN member
countries, remarking that the increased ROK ODA was a "good
step" for an emerging donor nation.


3. (SBU) Ban and Annan reiterated the need for a negotiated
solution to the Iran and North Korean nuclear issues, with
Annan specifically saying that the USG could play an
important role in achieving peaceful resolutions. Annan also
expressed an interest in inter-Korean developments, such as
the announcement that the Koreas had agreed to trial runs on
inter-Korean railways later in May. Despite the lack of
progress in the Six Party Talks, the forum would be useful
for reaching a diplomatic resolution to the North Korean
nuclear issue. Asked about Annan's statement that the
nuclear issue should take precedence over other issues with
North Korea, Oh said Annan was simply responding to a
reporter's question and that this was separate from the
Ban-Annan meeting.


4. (SBU) Oh said that Annan raised the subject of
Korean-Japanese relations in his meetings with Ban and
President Roh. Ban and Roh provided detailed explanations of
the historical aspects of the territorial dispute related to
the Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo/Takeshima). Annan expressed hope
for improved bilateral relations between Seoul and Tokyo that
could strengthen prospects for a peaceful and professional
understanding. Oh also confirmed press reports that Roh
actually drew a map of the Korean Peninsula and the disputed
islets during the discussion to, as she noted, explain to an
important international visitor the South Korean position on
the issue. She opined that the President does not need much
of an opening to show his interest in the topic.
MINTON