ROKG RESPONSE TO AFGHANISTAN PRT CONFERENCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 002351 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2014 TAGS: AORC NATO AF XD KS SUBJECT: ROKG RESPONSE TO AFGHANISTAN PRT CONFERENCE INVITATION REF: A. STATE 112030 ¶B. SEOUL 02108 ¶C. STATE 102464 Classified By: A/DCM Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (U) On July 14, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) Southwest Asia and Oceania Division delivered a response declining to participate in the Afghanistan Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Effectiveness Conference scheduled for July 20-21 in Hungary. ¶2. (U) Begin text: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Republic of Korea July 13, 2006 Dear Under Secretary Edelman, Assistant Deputy Minister Wright, and Deputy State Secretary Smoke; I would like to thank you for your kind invitation to an international PRT conference which is to be held on July 20-21, 2006 in Hungary. I believe that the upcoming conference will work as a valuable opportunity to discuss the future direction of Provincial Reconstruction Teams operation in Afghanistan. However, I deeply regret to inform you that a variety of work demands and urgent diplomatic issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula make it impossible for me and the Korean delegation to attend the conference. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my deep appreciation for the efforts and contributions that your governments have made for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. I would also like to reaffirm the Korean government's commitment of an additional 20 million dollars which was made at the London conference late January. Thank you, once again, for your kind consideration, I extend to you my best wishes for your continued good health and success. Sincerely, /S/ Lee Hyuk Director-General Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau End text. VERSHBOW