Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SEOUL973
2007-04-03 07:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
ROKG REQUESTS ASSISTANCE WITH NATO TRANSITION IN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHUL #0973 0930722 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 030722Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3685 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 2271 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 8412 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 7934 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 2377 RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA J2 SEOUL KOR PRIORITY RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA J3 SEOUL KOR PRIORITY RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA J5 SEOUL KOR PRIORITY RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA SCJS SEOUL KOR PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//OSD/ISA/EAP// PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 000973
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2017
TAGS: KS PARM PREL MARR MOPS
SUBJECT: ROKG REQUESTS ASSISTANCE WITH NATO TRANSITION IN
AFGHANISTAN
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 000973
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2017
TAGS: KS PARM PREL MARR MOPS
SUBJECT: ROKG REQUESTS ASSISTANCE WITH NATO TRANSITION IN
AFGHANISTAN
Classified By: POL M/C Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).
1. (C) On April 2, POL-MIL Chief met with Lee Jeong-kyu,
Director of North AMERICA Division III of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) to discuss ROKG concerns
over additional NATO requirements for the transition of ROK
troops to NATO/ International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF) in Afghanistan. Referring to the letter the ROK had
sent to NATO at the request of the USG on transitioning its
forces under ISAF, Director Lee stated that what the ROK
thought was an administrative measure has now turned into a
NATO request for the ROKG to sign several agreements,
including a Participation Agreement, Financial Agreement,
Information Security Agreement, and Code of Conduct. Lee
expressed concerns over these additional requirements, noting
that the agreement to transition ROK troops had been a
difficult political decision. Lee stated that it will
require two to three months to complete internal ROKG
considerations of the four additional
government-to-government agreements. Pointing out that the
ROK troops are scheduled to return home in less than nine
months (end of 2007),Director Lee questioned whether the
agreements were necessary.
2. (C) Lee also conveyed that MND had experienced some
difficulties with getting access to information on the ground
in Afghanistan since the ROK transitioned its forces under
NATO command in February 2007. He requested restoration of
the level and quality of U.S. assistance provided to the ROK
forces in Afghanistan prior to their transition under ISAF.
VERSHBOW
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2017
TAGS: KS PARM PREL MARR MOPS
SUBJECT: ROKG REQUESTS ASSISTANCE WITH NATO TRANSITION IN
AFGHANISTAN
Classified By: POL M/C Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).
1. (C) On April 2, POL-MIL Chief met with Lee Jeong-kyu,
Director of North AMERICA Division III of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) to discuss ROKG concerns
over additional NATO requirements for the transition of ROK
troops to NATO/ International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF) in Afghanistan. Referring to the letter the ROK had
sent to NATO at the request of the USG on transitioning its
forces under ISAF, Director Lee stated that what the ROK
thought was an administrative measure has now turned into a
NATO request for the ROKG to sign several agreements,
including a Participation Agreement, Financial Agreement,
Information Security Agreement, and Code of Conduct. Lee
expressed concerns over these additional requirements, noting
that the agreement to transition ROK troops had been a
difficult political decision. Lee stated that it will
require two to three months to complete internal ROKG
considerations of the four additional
government-to-government agreements. Pointing out that the
ROK troops are scheduled to return home in less than nine
months (end of 2007),Director Lee questioned whether the
agreements were necessary.
2. (C) Lee also conveyed that MND had experienced some
difficulties with getting access to information on the ground
in Afghanistan since the ROK transitioned its forces under
NATO command in February 2007. He requested restoration of
the level and quality of U.S. assistance provided to the ROK
forces in Afghanistan prior to their transition under ISAF.
VERSHBOW