ID :
59760
Sat, 05/09/2009 - 13:10
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/59760
The shortlink copeid
(EDITORIAL from the Korea Herald on May 9)
Time for decision
On Wednesday, the government announced expanded support for the U.S.-led war in
Afghanistan. Seoul will now commit some $74 million by 2011, more than double the
$30 million it originally pledged. Most of the money will be used to send more
equipment and civilians to help reconstruction efforts in the country ravaged by
a succession of wars.
The announcement, however, left out the answer to a key question -- will Seoul
commit troops to Afghanistan?
Seoul continues to say it will make that decision when it is officially requested
by the United States. It would take into consideration the needs in Afghanistan
and contributions by other countries in making its decision, officials say.
The United States has so far not made an official request for troop deployment.
However, it has been sending signals through various unofficial channels that it
wants to see a bigger contribution from Korea.
The expanded support announced this week appears to be a stop-gap measure aimed
at demonstrating that Korea is willing to contribute more to international
efforts in Afghanistan.
However, even with the additional support, Korea will have contributed less than
1 percent of the $50 billion that the international community has committed to
Afghanistan.
The Lee Myung-bak administration finds itself in a difficult situation.
On the one hand, it feels the need to show that the Korea-U.S. alliance is in
good standing and further bolster that relationship by sending troops to
Afghanistan. On the other hand, domestic politics make it difficult for the
administration to readily commit troops.
There is resistance to overseas deployment of troops, resistance that became
stronger after the death of a Korean soldier in a terrorist attack and the
kidnapping of 23 Korean volunteer aid workers and the subsequent killings of two
of the kidnapped in Afghanistan.
Korea sent 210 engineering and medical personnel to Afghanistan in February 2002
and withdrew them in December 2007. Another reason for the resistance is the
broad perception that Korea is sending troops in acquiescence to a U.S. demand.
However, the need for Korea to assume a greater role in global affairs should
outweigh the domestic concerns. As the world's 13th largest economy, Korea should
play a global role commensurate with its economic prowess. Also, it has been a
recipient of international assistance in the past, and it is now time the country
returns the favor.
If an eventual troop dispatch is inevitable, the Lee administration should not
give the impression that it is doing it only at the U.S. request.
If troops are to be committed, Korea should do it on its own terms. Rather than
fear public resistance, the government should take it upon itself to persuade the
people that troop commitment would be in the interests of the country.
The administration says it will reach a decision before the summit meeting
between President Lee and President Barack Obama scheduled for mid-June.
However, it is warned not to repeat the costly mistake it made last year when it
announced the resumption of U.S. beef imports while Lee was in the United States
for a summit meeting with President George W. Bush. The beef import resumption
was seen as a "gift" to the United States for the summit meeting and led to the
widespread candle light vigils.
Timing is crucial in making policy announcements. The government should make up
its mind soon and announce it at an appropriate time. The administration is urged
to take a proactive stance on the matter of troop deployment in Afghanistan.
(END)