Posted on 06/09/2005 3:30:37 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Thursday June 9, 4:41 PM
A U.S. defense official paid a secret visit to Seoul this week and told his South Korean counterparts that Washington might withdraw its troops if the two sides continue to disagree on various bilateral issues, local media reported Thursday.
South Korea's Foreign Ministry acknowledged the visit by U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense Richard Lawless, but refused to disclose what was discussed during his meetings Monday and Tuesday.
Local newspapers reported that Lawless said Washington might have to withdraw its troops if Seoul keeps disagreeing on a range of issues, including Pentagon plans for its forces to be more flexible and potentially operate across the region. The reports in the Hankyoreh and Munhwa dailies, along with various Internet media, cited South Korean defense officials and diplomats.
The Foreign Ministry dismissed the media reports as "not being in line with the trend of close cooperation between (South) Korea and the United States."
While not directly refuting the reported comments by Lawless, the ministry said in a statement that "the Korea-U.S. alliance is not so weak that it could be swayed by comments from one or two officials."
The reports come on the eve of a Friday meeting in Washington between U.S. President George W. Bush and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun where the two leaders are aiming to patch up strains in their alliance over differences in dealing with North Korea.
Roh has previously expressed concern that plans for U.S. troops here to be a more flexible force might unwillingly embroil South Korea in regional conflicts.
About 32,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War that ended in a cease-fire, not a peace treaty. Washington plans to cut down the number to about 24,500 in coming years as part of a worldwide redeployment of its forces.
How so?
She's never made me eat cabbage or garlic! She's made me some Korean dishes, however, which are very good, if spicy. These foods make my nose run and she gets a kick out of it because I have to keep taking a napkin to my nostrils.
Owl_Eagle
(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,
If things progress, I highly recommend getting a second fridge (dorm sized) for her use. We (or rather, I) call it the "Stinky Fridge." When the wife gets the radish and oyster kimchee I can tell the fridge has been opened from two floors away.
You're right, of course. Interesting insight into the NK height and weight standards. This situation could go any way at any time, no use expecting a warning from NK. Hopefully, if we have to, we'll go in fully aware of the situation and with our troops fully prepared.
Your post gave me a big laugh...thank you very much!
the very minute the last us soldier leaves south-korea,
some 500000 north-koreans will move in to capture seoul as quickly as possible. if the us pulled out it's forces south korea is doomed!
About two weeks ago Rummy ordered a squadron of F-117's to SKorea. Apparently that was enough to motivate Rongfoo. One news report today said he wanted "reassurances" from Bush----I expect he got them along with firm instructions. Any body know how to say "snivel"in SGook?
How disafreakingpointing----you mean the recent haircut order to save "ënergy" didn't solve all the NGooks problems? Now I gotta suspect the Runtleader just wants an honor guard his size----none of those tall guys making him look genetically defective.
Hmmm, can we do that with our protestors too?
Quote: She's made me some Korean dishes, however, which are very good, if spicy.
There were not any neighborhood dogs missing the next day was there?? :)
To be fair, we're dealing with democracies here. Sometimes elections go the wrong way. Imagine if we'd elected Kerry instead of Bush and countries had reason to consider the US govt faithless lying cowards. The pro-appeasement party is in power in the ROK now, but we can't just yo-yo in and out of a country every time they have an election.
If S.K. wants to make kissy face with N.K. and China, they don't need our troops there.
Who is yo-yoing. Not me. I think it is high time that countries like South Korea, who have money, smart, educated people, should defend their own dirt. We are not responsible for covering the entire planet. I am sick and tired of our people defending someone else's dirt while they sit safely in the bunkers.
Lol, last time the Koreans made me food they warned it was hot and asked if I'd had Korean food before. "Just jam bong soup," says I. They were visibly shocked and said this dish would be mild by comparison.
Great for the sinuses!
If the US troops left Korea and 500,000 North Korean soldiers headed toward Seoul as you suggest, I will guarantee you that there would be 500,000 dead NK bodies littering the countryside from Tongduchon to Uijongbu to Seoul. The ROK army is one of the best trained, most ruthless bunch of fighters on this green earth. They can/will defend themselves quite nicely - thank you!
Pull them.
Fine.....let them defend themselves....we don't need to be there.
So he'd fit in with the Democrats then, huh?
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