ID :
88151
Fri, 11/06/2009 - 08:07
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/88151
The shortlink copeid
Seoul to delay fact-finding mission to Afghanistan
SEOUL, Nov. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan said Thursday that the planned dispatch of a fact-finding team to Afghanistan will be delayed due to the war-torn country's internal political situation.
South Korea's government has hinted at an Afghan visit by its fact-finding team
during November, following its recent announcement of a decision to increase its
reconstruction workers in Afghanistan to around 130 and dispatch about 300
security forces.
Seoul aims to operate an independent Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in
Afghanistan as part of efforts to play a bigger role in the international
community.
"Sending a fact-finding mission to Afghanistan during this month won't be easy,"
Yu told reporters on returning from his trip to Algeria and the United Arab
Emirates.
"Afghanistan seems too busy with the inauguration of a new government to be
prepared for the visit of a (South Korean) fact-finding team."
The minister said South Korea is now mulling various options regarding the
location of its independent PRT.
"We will continue to station PRT personnel at a U.S. Air Force base in Bagram. So
we'll consider locations in neighboring provinces. The options also include
taking over the U.S.-operated PRT in Parwan Province," said Yu.
"South Korea will send its fact-finding team as soon as possible, but we won't be
in haste."
Asked about the outlook for the bilateral talks between North Korea and the U.S.,
meanwhile, Yu said the dialogue won't take place in the immediate future, but
will surely occur late this year or early next year.
"The bilateral talks between North Korea and the U.S. are unlikely before U.S.
President Barack Obama visits South Korea. The talks will surely take place late
this year or early next year. But it is difficult to predict the talks will be
held in December or January," said Yu.
Obama plans to visit South Korea for two days starting Nov. 18 to meet with
President Lee Myung-bak.
North Korea said earlier this week that it is ready for direct talks with the
U.S. on its nuclear program, but will "go its own way" if Washington refuses.
"What is important is that the U.S. is in a position not to hurry. If the North
Korea-U.S. dialogue is held, China will seek to convene the six-party talks,"
said the minister.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)
South Korea's government has hinted at an Afghan visit by its fact-finding team
during November, following its recent announcement of a decision to increase its
reconstruction workers in Afghanistan to around 130 and dispatch about 300
security forces.
Seoul aims to operate an independent Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in
Afghanistan as part of efforts to play a bigger role in the international
community.
"Sending a fact-finding mission to Afghanistan during this month won't be easy,"
Yu told reporters on returning from his trip to Algeria and the United Arab
Emirates.
"Afghanistan seems too busy with the inauguration of a new government to be
prepared for the visit of a (South Korean) fact-finding team."
The minister said South Korea is now mulling various options regarding the
location of its independent PRT.
"We will continue to station PRT personnel at a U.S. Air Force base in Bagram. So
we'll consider locations in neighboring provinces. The options also include
taking over the U.S.-operated PRT in Parwan Province," said Yu.
"South Korea will send its fact-finding team as soon as possible, but we won't be
in haste."
Asked about the outlook for the bilateral talks between North Korea and the U.S.,
meanwhile, Yu said the dialogue won't take place in the immediate future, but
will surely occur late this year or early next year.
"The bilateral talks between North Korea and the U.S. are unlikely before U.S.
President Barack Obama visits South Korea. The talks will surely take place late
this year or early next year. But it is difficult to predict the talks will be
held in December or January," said Yu.
Obama plans to visit South Korea for two days starting Nov. 18 to meet with
President Lee Myung-bak.
North Korea said earlier this week that it is ready for direct talks with the
U.S. on its nuclear program, but will "go its own way" if Washington refuses.
"What is important is that the U.S. is in a position not to hurry. If the North
Korea-U.S. dialogue is held, China will seek to convene the six-party talks,"
said the minister.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)
