Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SEOUL646
2006-03-02 01:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
NOGUN-RI MEMORIAL FUNDING TO EXPIRE SEPTEMBER 30,
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHUL #0646 0610113 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 020113Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6242 INFO RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA SCJS SEOUL KOR PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//OSD/ISA/EAP// PRIORITY RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA J5 SEOUL KOR PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 000646
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2015
TAGS: PREL MARR KS
SUBJECT: NOGUN-RI MEMORIAL FUNDING TO EXPIRE SEPTEMBER 30,
2006
REF: SEOUL 00762
Classified By: POL M/C Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 000646
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2015
TAGS: PREL MARR KS
SUBJECT: NOGUN-RI MEMORIAL FUNDING TO EXPIRE SEPTEMBER 30,
2006
REF: SEOUL 00762
Classified By: POL M/C Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).
1. (U) This is an action request.
2. (C) During a February 27 discussion, the U.S. ARMY Corps
of Engineers informed post that the funds allocated for the
construction of the Nogun-ri memorial monument will expire on
September 30, 2006, and that an extension of funding is
probably not possible. According to the Corps, an agreement
on the memorial would have to be reached by the end of March
to allow sufficient time for construction and payment to the
contractor before the expiration of funding. However, this
seems highly unlikely given the continuing impasse over the
design of the monument. Although a contract was awarded and
the design work was completed by early 2002, disagreements
regarding the design have prevented construction.
Specifically, the USG and representatives of the Nogun-ri
citizen's group have disagreed regarding the monument's
proposed inscription. The citizen's group has insisted that
the inscription explicitly identify the U.S. military as
being responsible for the deaths of an undetermined number of
civilians in the area surrounding the village of Nogun-ri
during the opening days of the Korean War. The USG has
explained repeatedly that it would be more appropriate for
the monument to recognize all civilian casualties of the
Korean War.
3. (C) When informed of the impending expiration of funding,
MOFAT officials asked whether an extension of the funding,
for at least one additional year, was possible. At the same
time, however, they acknowledged that a change in the
Nogun-ri group's position was unlikely in the near future.
4. (C) Action request: Please confirm the status of funding
for the monument and whether it can be extended beyond the
end of this fiscal year.
VERSHBOW
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2015
TAGS: PREL MARR KS
SUBJECT: NOGUN-RI MEMORIAL FUNDING TO EXPIRE SEPTEMBER 30,
2006
REF: SEOUL 00762
Classified By: POL M/C Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).
1. (U) This is an action request.
2. (C) During a February 27 discussion, the U.S. ARMY Corps
of Engineers informed post that the funds allocated for the
construction of the Nogun-ri memorial monument will expire on
September 30, 2006, and that an extension of funding is
probably not possible. According to the Corps, an agreement
on the memorial would have to be reached by the end of March
to allow sufficient time for construction and payment to the
contractor before the expiration of funding. However, this
seems highly unlikely given the continuing impasse over the
design of the monument. Although a contract was awarded and
the design work was completed by early 2002, disagreements
regarding the design have prevented construction.
Specifically, the USG and representatives of the Nogun-ri
citizen's group have disagreed regarding the monument's
proposed inscription. The citizen's group has insisted that
the inscription explicitly identify the U.S. military as
being responsible for the deaths of an undetermined number of
civilians in the area surrounding the village of Nogun-ri
during the opening days of the Korean War. The USG has
explained repeatedly that it would be more appropriate for
the monument to recognize all civilian casualties of the
Korean War.
3. (C) When informed of the impending expiration of funding,
MOFAT officials asked whether an extension of the funding,
for at least one additional year, was possible. At the same
time, however, they acknowledged that a change in the
Nogun-ri group's position was unlikely in the near future.
4. (C) Action request: Please confirm the status of funding
for the monument and whether it can be extended beyond the
end of this fiscal year.
VERSHBOW