Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SEOUL1814
2009-11-16 09:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
2+2 MEETING TO MARK 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF KOREAN WAR
how-toINFO LOG-00 EEB-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 COME-00 INL-00 C-00 DODE-00 DOEE-00 DOTE-00 PERC-00 PDI-00 DS-00 FAAE-00 FBIE-00 VCI-00 H-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-00 CAC-00 MOFM-00 MOF-00 M-00 VCIE-00 NSAE-00 ISN-00 NSCE-00 OCS-00 OES-00 OIC-00 OIG-00 NIMA-00 PA-00 PM-00 P-00 SCT-00 ISNE-00 FMPC-00 SP-00 IRM-00 SS-00 TRSE-00 T-00 BBG-00 R-00 IIP-00 SCRS-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-00 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 FA-00 SWCI-00 /000W O 160939Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO AMEMBASSY BEIJING IMMEDIATE SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6237
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 001814
BEIJING PLEASE PASS TO NSC SENIOR DIRECTOR BADER
FROM AMBASSADOR STEPHENS FOR EAP ASSISTANT SECRETARY
CAMPBELL AND NSC SENIOR DIRECTOR BADER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2029
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON KDEM KN KS
SUBJECT: 2+2 MEETING TO MARK 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF KOREAN WAR
Classified By: Ambassador Stephens. Reasons: 1.4 (b/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 001814
BEIJING PLEASE PASS TO NSC SENIOR DIRECTOR BADER
FROM AMBASSADOR STEPHENS FOR EAP ASSISTANT SECRETARY
CAMPBELL AND NSC SENIOR DIRECTOR BADER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2029
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON KDEM KN KS
SUBJECT: 2+2 MEETING TO MARK 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF KOREAN WAR
Classified By: Ambassador Stephens. Reasons: 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) Kurt/Jeff: As a deliverable for the POTUS visit, the
Blue House has proposed announcing a one-off "2 plus 2"
ministerial in 2010 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of
the beginning of the Korean War. I strongly believe this is
a proposal worth considering. A high-profile event featuring
the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense and their ROK
counterparts would not only honor the approximately two
million living Korean War veterans but also highlight the
success of the Alliance over 60 years and showcase the
prospects for even greater future cooperation. Young Koreans
especially are not often exposed to the sacrifice we made
during the war and its contribution to modern Korea's
success. This would be a unique opportunity to address that
problem.
2. (C) High-level bilateral participation in commemorative
events would call international attention to a great success
story for American foreign policy. The U.S.-ROK partnership
and Korea's development since the Korean War stand as
enormous achievements for both our countries. Long hailed
for its economic success, in recent years Korea's thriving
democratic institutions and rich civil society have
solidified its standing as pillar of democratic values in
Asia. Senior USG participation in commemorative events would
help bring, among other things, greater regional attention to
this important dimension of Korea's miraculous renaissance.
3. (SBU) Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the 60th
anniversary will be the last decennial milestone to honor
Korean War veterans while significant numbers of them are
still alive. According to Veterans Administration
statistics, there were roughly four million Korean War
veterans alive for the 50th anniversary in 2000; only two
million are still with us, and the VA estimates that by 2010
the average age of Korean War veterans will be 79.
STEPHENS
BEIJING PLEASE PASS TO NSC SENIOR DIRECTOR BADER
FROM AMBASSADOR STEPHENS FOR EAP ASSISTANT SECRETARY
CAMPBELL AND NSC SENIOR DIRECTOR BADER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2029
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON KDEM KN KS
SUBJECT: 2+2 MEETING TO MARK 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF KOREAN WAR
Classified By: Ambassador Stephens. Reasons: 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) Kurt/Jeff: As a deliverable for the POTUS visit, the
Blue House has proposed announcing a one-off "2 plus 2"
ministerial in 2010 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of
the beginning of the Korean War. I strongly believe this is
a proposal worth considering. A high-profile event featuring
the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense and their ROK
counterparts would not only honor the approximately two
million living Korean War veterans but also highlight the
success of the Alliance over 60 years and showcase the
prospects for even greater future cooperation. Young Koreans
especially are not often exposed to the sacrifice we made
during the war and its contribution to modern Korea's
success. This would be a unique opportunity to address that
problem.
2. (C) High-level bilateral participation in commemorative
events would call international attention to a great success
story for American foreign policy. The U.S.-ROK partnership
and Korea's development since the Korean War stand as
enormous achievements for both our countries. Long hailed
for its economic success, in recent years Korea's thriving
democratic institutions and rich civil society have
solidified its standing as pillar of democratic values in
Asia. Senior USG participation in commemorative events would
help bring, among other things, greater regional attention to
this important dimension of Korea's miraculous renaissance.
3. (SBU) Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the 60th
anniversary will be the last decennial milestone to honor
Korean War veterans while significant numbers of them are
still alive. According to Veterans Administration
statistics, there were roughly four million Korean War
veterans alive for the 50th anniversary in 2000; only two
million are still with us, and the VA estimates that by 2010
the average age of Korean War veterans will be 79.
STEPHENS