Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SEOUL4057
2006-11-24 07:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
MOFAT SUPPORTS TROOP EXTENSION IN IRAQ AND UNIFIL DISPATCH TO LEBANON
how-toVZCZCXYZ0009 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHUL #4057 3280701 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 240701Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1506 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1599 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1691 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 7659 RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA J2 SEOUL KOR RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA J5 SEOUL KOR RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA SCJS SEOUL KOR RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//OSD/ISA/EAP// RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 004057
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV UGNA IZ LE KS
SUBJECT: MOFAT SUPPORTS TROOP EXTENSION IN IRAQ AND UNIFIL
DISPATCH TO LEBANON
Classified By: A/DCM Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 004057
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV UGNA IZ LE KS
SUBJECT: MOFAT SUPPORTS TROOP EXTENSION IN IRAQ AND UNIFIL
DISPATCH TO LEBANON
Classified By: A/DCM Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) On November 24, MOFAT Director-General for American
Affairs Cho Tae-yong told A/DCM that President Roh's
administration had decided to submit a motion to the National
Assembly requesting authorization for a one-year extension of
ROK troop deployment in Iraq, but at a lower force level. In
order to secure the extension to December 2007, the
administration was proposing a reduction from 2,300 to 1,200
ROK troops in Iraq. Cho explained that the ROKG in 2007
could consider further revisions to troop levels after taking
into account local conditions in Iraq and the policies of
other contributors to the multinational force in Iraq.
2. (C) DG Cho informed A/DCM that, in addition, the Roh
administration had agreed to propose to the National Assembly
that Seoul send 400 troops to the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon.
Unlike the contentious troop extension to Iraq, Cho stated
that the ROKG would have an easier time defending its
decision to send troops to Lebanon because it could
characterize the move as adhering to a UN undertaking. Cho
joked that some MOFAT officials had characterized the
decision as transferring 400 troops from ROKG command to
UNSYG-designate Ban Ki-moon (former ROK Foreign Minister).
VERSHBOW
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV UGNA IZ LE KS
SUBJECT: MOFAT SUPPORTS TROOP EXTENSION IN IRAQ AND UNIFIL
DISPATCH TO LEBANON
Classified By: A/DCM Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) On November 24, MOFAT Director-General for American
Affairs Cho Tae-yong told A/DCM that President Roh's
administration had decided to submit a motion to the National
Assembly requesting authorization for a one-year extension of
ROK troop deployment in Iraq, but at a lower force level. In
order to secure the extension to December 2007, the
administration was proposing a reduction from 2,300 to 1,200
ROK troops in Iraq. Cho explained that the ROKG in 2007
could consider further revisions to troop levels after taking
into account local conditions in Iraq and the policies of
other contributors to the multinational force in Iraq.
2. (C) DG Cho informed A/DCM that, in addition, the Roh
administration had agreed to propose to the National Assembly
that Seoul send 400 troops to the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon.
Unlike the contentious troop extension to Iraq, Cho stated
that the ROKG would have an easier time defending its
decision to send troops to Lebanon because it could
characterize the move as adhering to a UN undertaking. Cho
joked that some MOFAT officials had characterized the
decision as transferring 400 troops from ROKG command to
UNSYG-designate Ban Ki-moon (former ROK Foreign Minister).
VERSHBOW