ID :
27666
Fri, 10/31/2008 - 10:08
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/27666
The shortlink copeid
U.S. thanks S. Korea for Zaytun's contribution to Iraqi stabilization
By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (Yonhap) -- The United States Thursday thanked South Korea for the contribution its troops have made to the stabilization of Iraq as part of the U.S.-led war.
"We appreciate the great work of the Koreans in Iraq," said Gordon Johndroe,
spokesman for the White House National Security Council. "Now, many forces are
able to return to their home countries because of the improved security situation
on the ground as well as the growing capacity of the Iraqi security forces."
Johndroe made his remarks as South Korea announced Wednesday that its remaining
520 troops will come back home by Dec. 20 from a four-year mission.
The former government of President Roh Moo-hyun dispatched 3,600 troops to Iraq,
inviting strong opposition from his own liberal camp as well as anti-war
activists.
Roh last year got parliamentary approval for an extension of the troop stay for
another year from the originally planned three years. The number of South Korea's
Zaytun unit has dwindled to about 520 this year.
The extension was made at the request of the U.S., then struggling with a
worsening situation in Iraq years after the collapse of the Saddam Hussein
regime.
The pro-U.S. government of Lee Myung-bak, which took office earlier this year,
did not seek another extension of the troop deployment, citing a lack of any
request from the U.S., which is reassigning some of its troops to Afghanistan,
where Taliban insurgents are gaining strength.
The Pentagon also expressed appreciation for the Zaytun's contribution to the
Iraqi rehabilitation.
"The U.S. and the Iraqi people appreciate the contribution and sacrifices made by
the ROK government, ROK military and the Korean people," Maj. Stewart Upton,
press officer of the Department of Defense, said in a statement. The Republic of
Korea is the official name of South Korea.
Upton attributed "the success we see in Iraq today" to "the valor of U.S., ROK,
Iraqi and other coalition troops and civilians."
Violence in Iraq has declined recently as Sunni and Shiite Muslims have shown
signs of reconciliation in the formation of the Iraqi government and other
political matters.
The Iraqi government recently said all of the U.S. troops will leave Iraq by the
end of 2011, although U.S. officials countered that negotiations are still under
way.
The Pentagon spokesman said the Zaytun unit "has undertaken a large number of
projects with amazing success as a key player in the reconstruction of the
Kurdistan region."
"The Republic of Korea Zaytun division has done an outstanding job and made
important contributions to the progress in Iraq," he said. "The ROK is our close
friend and strong ally, and we are grateful for the willingness of Korea to
contribute to Iraqi stabilization and rebuild
Iraq."
hdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (Yonhap) -- The United States Thursday thanked South Korea for the contribution its troops have made to the stabilization of Iraq as part of the U.S.-led war.
"We appreciate the great work of the Koreans in Iraq," said Gordon Johndroe,
spokesman for the White House National Security Council. "Now, many forces are
able to return to their home countries because of the improved security situation
on the ground as well as the growing capacity of the Iraqi security forces."
Johndroe made his remarks as South Korea announced Wednesday that its remaining
520 troops will come back home by Dec. 20 from a four-year mission.
The former government of President Roh Moo-hyun dispatched 3,600 troops to Iraq,
inviting strong opposition from his own liberal camp as well as anti-war
activists.
Roh last year got parliamentary approval for an extension of the troop stay for
another year from the originally planned three years. The number of South Korea's
Zaytun unit has dwindled to about 520 this year.
The extension was made at the request of the U.S., then struggling with a
worsening situation in Iraq years after the collapse of the Saddam Hussein
regime.
The pro-U.S. government of Lee Myung-bak, which took office earlier this year,
did not seek another extension of the troop deployment, citing a lack of any
request from the U.S., which is reassigning some of its troops to Afghanistan,
where Taliban insurgents are gaining strength.
The Pentagon also expressed appreciation for the Zaytun's contribution to the
Iraqi rehabilitation.
"The U.S. and the Iraqi people appreciate the contribution and sacrifices made by
the ROK government, ROK military and the Korean people," Maj. Stewart Upton,
press officer of the Department of Defense, said in a statement. The Republic of
Korea is the official name of South Korea.
Upton attributed "the success we see in Iraq today" to "the valor of U.S., ROK,
Iraqi and other coalition troops and civilians."
Violence in Iraq has declined recently as Sunni and Shiite Muslims have shown
signs of reconciliation in the formation of the Iraqi government and other
political matters.
The Iraqi government recently said all of the U.S. troops will leave Iraq by the
end of 2011, although U.S. officials countered that negotiations are still under
way.
The Pentagon spokesman said the Zaytun unit "has undertaken a large number of
projects with amazing success as a key player in the reconstruction of the
Kurdistan region."
"The Republic of Korea Zaytun division has done an outstanding job and made
important contributions to the progress in Iraq," he said. "The ROK is our close
friend and strong ally, and we are grateful for the willingness of Korea to
contribute to Iraqi stabilization and rebuild
Iraq."
hdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
