ROKG TO CONSIDER CONTRIBUTION FOR HYBRID

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 001965 SIPDIS SIPDIS IO/PSC DENNIS HANKINS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/28/2017 TAGS: PREL EAID KPKO UNSC MASS KS SU SUBJECT: ROKG TO CONSIDER CONTRIBUTION FOR HYBRID OPERATIONS IN SUDAN REF: STATE 90022 Classified By: Joseph Y. Yun, POL M/C. Reasons 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) On June 28, the DCM conveyed reftel objectives encouraging capitals to contribute to expected UN/AU Hybrid Operations in Darfur to Park In-kook, Deputy Minister for Policy Planning and International Operations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The DCM expressed USG appreciation for significant ROKG contributions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and, soon Lebanon, and commented that the ROK had the experience and technology to play a positive role in Sudan. ¶2. (C) Park noted the urgency of the situation in Sudan and undertook to give careful consideration to ways that the ROKG could help. He said that one factor in South Korea's calculation would be its current peacekeeping operations (PKO). If the ROKG suffered significant casualties in a PKO in Lebanon, for example, this could hurt prospects for contributions elsewhere. The ROKG might find it politically easier to contribute logistical support than troops to Hybrid Operations in Sudan, he speculated. As background, he explained burgeoning ROKG efforts to secure National Assembly authorization for PKOs, so that the ROKG could react more quickly than if it had to request permission on a case-by-case basis. The ROKG might seek approval for a certain number of personnel, for example, who could be deployed to PKOs at the discretion of the Executive Branch, but, he said, this would not occur before year-end at the earliest. ¶3. (C) In addition, Park requested further information on China's role in Sudan, specifically its official development assistance (ODA). This information would be helpful for Seoul's deliberations, he said. Park continued that the ROKG was committed to becoming a full-fledged member of the OECD's Development Assistance Committee (DAC) by 2010 and would host a donor conference in South Korea in September 2007. Seoul was inviting DAC and non-DAC donors, and specifically China, to send delegations. He hoped that conference participants could encourage Beijing to direct ODA away from influence peddling and toward efforts to help states improve their own economic and political conditions. ODA should be conducted in a more environment-friendly and sustainable development manner, he said. VERSHBOW