Text Fwd: S. Korean Commandos Prove "Toughness" By Killing Eight In Horn Of Africa

* Image source: Yonhap News, Jan. 21, 2011
Yonhap News, Jan. 21, 2011

* Image and caption: Yonhap News, Jan. 21, 2011
Lt. Gen. Lee Seong-ho speaks to reporters during a press conference in Seoul on Jan. 21. (Yonhap)

* Image & caption source: same as the above link
'South Korean special forces on the deck of the Samho Jewelry during a rescue operation on Jan. 21. (Yonhap) '
______________________________________________

* Text sent from Rick Rozoff on Jan. 22, 2011

Agence France-Presse
January 21, 2011
S. Korea Navy Kills Somali Pirates, Saves Crew
By PARK CHAN-KYONG

SEOUL: South Korean navy commandos on Jan. 21 stormed a ship hijacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, rescuing all the 21 crew and killing eight pirates, military officials said.

The SEAL special forces boarded the South Korean ship before dawn, freeing all the hostages and killing the pirates in cabin-to-cabin battles, they said.

"This operation demonstrated our government's strong will that we won't tolerate illegal activities by pirates any more," Lt. Gen. Lee Sung-Ho of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told a news briefing.
....
The rescue about 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) off northeast Somalia was seen as a major morale boost for the South's military. It has faced strong domestic criticism for a perceived weak response to North Korea's shelling of a border island last November.

President Lee Myung-Bak, who authorized the operation, said the military carried out the raid perfectly under difficult circumstances.

"We will not tolerate any activities that threaten the safety and lives of our people," he said.

The pirates seized the 11,500-ton ship and 21 crew members - eight South Koreans, two Indonesians and 11 from Myanmar - on Jan. 15 in the Arabian Sea when it was en route to Sri Lanka from the United Arab Emirates.

Seoul ordered a destroyer on patrol in the Gulf of Aden to give chase, and Lee ordered "all possible measures" to save the crew.

General Lee said the commandos moved in after receiving information that the "mother ship" for the pirates was leaving a Somali port.
....
To distract the pirates' attention, the destroyer fired warning shots and maneuvered close to the hijacked vessel. A Lynx helicopter provided covering fire as the commandos stormed the ship.

The Koreans were assisted by a U.S. carrier, which also provided a helicopter to transfer the wounded Korean skipper.

The military said the Jan. 21 rescue followed a brief gunbattle Jan. 18, when the destroyer encountered pirates who had apparently left the South Korean freighter to try to seize a nearby Mongolian vessel.

The South Korean commandos aboard a speedboat and a Lynx helicopter were dispatched to rescue the Mongolian ship.

That firefight left several pirates missing and thought killed, although their bodies have not been found, a JCS spokesmen said. Three commandos were slightly hurt.

Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan broke the news at a New Year's reception Jan. 21 for the heads of foreign diplomatic missions in Seoul, bringing applause and cheers from the ambassadors, a foreign ministry official said.

The captured five pirates could be brought to South Korea or third countries for punishment, he said.
....
In 2008 the French military became the first to respond militarily to piracy in the region, when marines raided the yacht Carre d'As and freed two hostages being held by seven Somali pirates. One pirate was killed and the other six captured.
....

____________________________________

* See also

Yonhap News

S. Korean Navy frees hijacked cargo ship, kills 8 Somali pirates

Jan. 21, 2011

Yonhap News
Lee praises Korean troops for 'perfect' raid on Somali pirates
2011/01/21 16:33 KST
By Lee Chi-dong

Yonhap News
Timeline of rescue operation on hijacked South Korean ship
2011/01/21 15:28 KST

Text Fwd: UN Soldiers Suspected in Haiti Cholera Outbreak 유엔 평화유지군, 아이티 콜레라 발생 원인으로 의혹삼

* Image & caption source: same as the Washington Post ink

The head of Nepal's mission in Haiti, Lt. Col. Krishna, second from left, and Prakash Neupane, deputy chief of the MINUSTAH engineering section, left, walks by pipes coming from latrines that lead to septic tanks that crosses a canal that leads to the Artibonite River at Nepal's U.N. base in Mirebalais, Haiti, Sunday Oct. 31, 2010. A cholera outbreak that has killed more than 300 people in Haiti matches strains commonly found in South Asia, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday, intensifying the scrutiny of a U.N. base that is home to recently arrived Nepalese peacekeepers, built on a tributary to the Artibonite River. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) (Ramon Espinosa - AP)
_________________________________________________________

* Informed at Just Foreign Policy News Letter on Nov. 4, 2010

Washington Post
Experts: Did UN troops infect Haiti?
Jonathan M. Katz, Associated Press
Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Port-au-Prince, Haiti - Researchers should determine whether United Nations peacekeepers were the source of a deadly outbreak of cholera in Haiti, two public health experts, including a U.N. official, said Wednesday.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the strain of cholera that has killed at least 442 people the past three weeks matches strains found in South Asia. The CDC, World Health Organization and United Nations say it's not possible to pinpoint the source and investigating further would distract from efforts to fight the disease.

But leading experts on cholera and medicine consulted by The Associated Press challenged that position, saying it is both possible and necessary to track the source to prevent future deaths.

"That sounds like politics to me, not science," Dr. Paul Farmer, a U.N. deputy special envoy to Haiti and a noted expert on poverty and medicine, said of the reluctance to delve further into what caused the outbreak. "Knowing where the point source is - or source, or sources - would seem to be a good enterprise in terms of public health."

The suspicion that a Nepalese U.N. peacekeeping base on a tributary to the infected Artibonite River could have been a source of the infection fueled a protest last week during which hundreds of Haitians denounced the peacekeepers.

John Mekalanos, a cholera expert and chairman of Harvard University's microbiology department, said it is important to know exactly where and how the disease emerged because it is a novel, virulent strain previously unknown in the Western Hemisphere - and public health officials need to know how it spreads.

READ MORE

Text Fwd: S. Korean fishing boat hijacked by Somali pirates near Kenya 남한 어선, 케냐 근처에서 피랍

Yonhap News
S. Korean fishing boat hijacked by Somali pirates near Kenya
Oct. 17, 2010

SEOUL/NAIROBI, Oct. 17 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean fishing boat has been hijacked by Somali pirates in Kenyan waters, the foreign ministry here said Sunday.

The ministry said the 241-ton trawler "Keummi 305," with two South Koreans, two Chinese and 39 Kenyans aboard, was hijacked on Oct. 9 by the pirates while fishing in waters about 10 miles off Lamu, Kenya, near the Indian Ocean.

A South Korean citizen living in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa told Yonhap News Agency that the boat had been in the area for about a month and was taken to Harardhere, the base for pirates north of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

"Given past instances, it would put the hostages in even more danger if the government tried to negotiate directly with the pirates," a ministry official said. "We're trying to find out more about the incident using all possible channels."

One of the South Koreans aboard was a 54-year-old captain surnamed Kim. He is the president of Keummi Fishers based in the southern port city of Busan.

Officials at the boat dealership for Keummi said the fisheries company shut down its Busan office in 2007 due to financial problems, and Kim had been steering the ship himself for two years to save costs.

"We haven't heard from the pirates yet," one dealership official said. "It could take up to four days to reach their base (from where the ship was hijacked) and we expect to be contacted soon."

The Keummi 305 had been fishing in waters considered safe from pirates since the area was more than 400 kilometers away from the pirates' base and the Kenyan navy sent regular patrols.

Since 2006, there were six hijackings of South Korean boats or vessels by Somali pirates. Most recently, a supertanker, Samho Dream, with five South Koreans and 19 Filipinos aboard, was seized in April this year in the Indian Ocean. The ship remains in captivity.

jeeho@yna.co.kr

[국문] Text Fwd: [아쉬티] 이라크와 아프간[Ashti] Iraq and Afganistan

* Peace Making 평화 만들기 434 호
이라크와 아프간
: 미군이 이라크 사람의 삶을 어떻게 파괴 시켰는가?
아쉬티 (기사입력: 2010/10/13)

Iraq and Afghanistan
: How the US military destroyed the lives of the Iraqi People?
Ashti

2004 년 어느 날 어느 이라크 사람이 길거리에서 고양이 한 마리를 죽였다. 전쟁이 이어지고 있는 이라크에서는 사람이 먹을 식량도 부족하기 때문에 음식을 훔쳐 먹는 고양이는 대체적으로 가난한 주민들로부터 미움을 받는다. 때마침 이 곳을 지나가던 미군이 이 모습을 보았고, 그 사람을 동물학대 죄로 체포하였다. 감옥에 한동안 수감되어 있던 이 사람은 감옥을 방문한 유럽의 적십자사 요원을 보고서 자신의 억울함을 호소하였다. 돌아온 적십자사 요원의 말은 “동물학대도 죄 입니다.” 인권은 무시되고 있지만 동물의 권리가 보장받는 이라크는 이상한 나라가 되어버렸다.

2003년 어느날의 일이다. 당시 (이름은 생각나지 않는) IGC(이라크 과도 통치위원회)라는 이라크 임시정부의 의장이 안전지역인 ‘그린 존’에 들어가기 위해서 절차를 밟던 중 자살폭탄 공격을 받아서 사망한 일이 발생했었다. 과도통치위원회는 비록 미국의 괴뢰 정부로 명목적인 정부이긴 했지만 이라크 최고 통치 기구역할을 하고 있었고, 그래서 순번제이긴 하지만 통치위원회의 의장은 형식적인 최고 통치자였다. 그가 자기 나라에서 정부 청사가 자리잡고 있는 그린존 지역을 들어가는데 미군의 검문을 받는데 30분이 넘는 시간이 걸렸고 그렇게 대기하던 중에 죽음을 당한 것이었다.

한국에서 국회 반전 의원모임에서 이라크 사람을 초대하고 싶다고 하여, 정부쪽 사람도 한사람쯤 포함되는 것이 좋을 것 같아 그린존에 들어가는 데는 단 5분도 채 걸리지 않았다.
나라의 주인보다 외국인 객이 훨씬 더 움직이기 편한 이상한 나라 이라크...

하지만 이곳에서도 삶은 이어지고 있다.

미군의 폭격이 한창이던 2003년 3월 말의 어느 날 이라크 평화팀과 평소 알고 지내던 14세 이라크 소녀의 생일이 되었다. 우리는 이 소녀의 생일 파티를 열어주기로 했고, 파티를 위해 이라크 평화팀의 운전기사였던 모하멧이 2시간 넘게 바그다드 시내를 온통 뒤져서 문을 연 아이스크림 가게 하나를 찾아내어 얼마간의 아이스크림을 사왔었다. 소박한 음식과 아이스크림 별식, 그리고 풍선으로 장식한 생일파티가 얼마간 진행되고 있을 때 미군의 폭격이 다시 시작되었다. 놀란 팀원 중 일부는 땅바닥에 엎드리고, 일부는 도망가고, 허리를 구부려 뭔가를 하던 나는 놀라서 허리를 펴며 하늘을 쳐다보고 있었다. 잠깐의 폭격이 끝나고 미군의 폭격기가 모두 물러간 후에 바로 옆에 아주 태연하게 앉아있던 이 소녀의 어머니 왈 “어서들 모이세요. 파티를 계속하자구요...”

사담 정부가 무너지고 조지 부시가 종전을 선언한 이후, 바그다드는 혼란의 도가니라는 말 이외에 다른 표현을 찾기 힘들었다. 거리는 매일 도처에서 폭발소리가 울려퍼지고, 어김없이 들려오는 누군가 죽었다는 소식...

처음에는 폭발음에 놀랐었지만, 어느 정도 시간이 지나면서 폭발소리에 무감각해졌고, 나중에는 폭발음이 들리면 농담을 하게까지 되었다.

친구와 함께 “오늘 폭발 소리는 이정도 크기고 방향은 3시 방향이니 이쯤이면 oo호텔이 있겠군. 그 호텔에 이정도 폭발이 났으면 최소한 oo명은 죽었겠는데....”, “아니야 이 방향이면 xx 건물이야. 내기해도 좋아.”, “그래? 그럼 우리 내기하자.”

그 외에 이라크 사람과 미군을 대상으로 한 농담이 많이 퍼져 있었다.

스톡홀름 평화연구소에서 이라크와 아프가니스탄을 세상에서 가장 위험한 나라 첫 번째와 두 번째로 분류하였다.

하지만 시간이 지나면서 일부 상황이 덜 위험한 지방 도시에서는 전쟁 이전의 모습을 천천히 회복해 나가고 있다. 티그리스 강가에 자리 잡은 까페에서 밤늦게까지 차와 커피를 마시며 물담배를 피우는 사람들이 조심스럽게 하나 둘 늘어나고 있다.

아프가니스탄 정세의 이해

탈레반은 아프간의 여러 군벌 세력 중 유일하게 이념에 의해 뭉친 집단이다. 비록 우리 관점에서는 이해하기 힘들지만, 그들이 집권할 때는 나름대로의 보수적 이슬람주의 해석에 의한 종교법을 가지고 나라를 통치했었다.

탈레반의 이런 보수적인 입장은 보수적인 부족장의 지지를 받았었고, 부족주의 전통이 강한 아프간에서 부족장의 지지는 부족 전체의 지지를 의미한다. 그래서 민중의 입장에서 탈레반은 다른 군벌에 비해서는 차악이었다.

나름대로의 종교적 원칙을 가지고 있던 탈레반은 집권 당시 아프간에서 마약을 거의 근절 시켰었다. 하지만 지금 탈레반은 마약재배 농가를 보호하여 활동비를 조달하고 있으며, 아프간의 마약은 국제적인 골칫거리가 되고 있다.

또한 탈레반은 집권 당시에는 지뢰와 같은 무고한 민간인에게 피해를 주는 무기를 사용하지 않았었다. 이 역시 이슬람 종교원칙에 의거한 것이었다.

하지만 지금 탈레반은 미군에 저항하기 위하여 사제 지뢰와 즉석 폭탄을 만들어서 사용하고 있고, 자살폭탄 테러 등의 민간인에게 직접적인 피해를 주는 방법을 사용하고 있다. 그나마 약간의 원칙을 갖고있던 탈레반은 아프간 사람에게는 다른 군벌에 비해서 차악이었고 더 나은 선택을 갖지 못했던 아프간 민중은 탈레반을 지지했었다. 하지만 미국은 차악을 몰아낸 후 최악을 권좌에 앉혔다. 그리고 현 아프간 집권층의 부패 양상은 혀가 내둘러질 정도로 기발하다. 그리고 이들은 미국의 민간 군사기업과 유착되어 있다.

물론 탈레반이 권장할만한 집권세력은 아니었지만, 탈레반 집권 말기 그들은 바깥 세상에 도움을 요청했었고 대화하기를 원했다. 그들의 대화 방법이 세련된 것은 아니었지만, 서방 세계가 이를 이해하지 못했다고 생가되지는 않는다.

하지만 미국을 위시한 서방은 탈레반과의 대화가 아닌 축출을 선택했었다. 탈레반은 아직도 상당수의 부족과 네트웍을 가지고 있고, 많은 아프간 사람은 미군이 철수한다면 탈레반이 다시 집권하는 것은 기정사실이라고 받아들이고 있다.

그래서 소수를 뺀 대다수가 탈레반에 협력까지는 아니더라도 그들과 적대하기를 꺼린다. 오바마 정권들어 바뀐 미국의 아프간 전략은 탈레반을 있는 그대로 받아들이고 그들과 대화를 하고자 하는게 아니라, 탈레반 요원을 회유하여 탈레반을 와해시키는데 초점을 맞추고 있다. 소위 그들이 말하는 탈레반을 더 이상 적대하지 않는다는 새로운 전략이다. 그들이 전향하면 과거를 묻지 않겠다는 것이다.

한국 평화운동의 과제

세계에서 가장 위험한 두 분쟁국가에 군대를 보냄으로써 한국은 국제사회에서 본격적으로 소 제국주의자로서 가해자의 위치에 자리매김을 했다. 한국 정부가 개입하고 있는 국제적 분쟁지역에 한국의 평화운동이 같이 개입할 필요가 있다. 한국군에 의한 폭력을 감시하고, 한국군의 철군을 이끌어내며 종국적으로는 무분별한 국제적 군사개입을 막기위한 노력이 필요하다.

현재 한국이 공식적으로 평화유지군을 파견한 나라는 20개 국이 넘지만 대부분 UN의 지시를 받는 평화유지군에 한 두명의 군인을 파견한 것으로 커다란 의미를 두기는 힘들다. 한국군에 의한 의미있는 개입(한국군이 직접 작전권을 갖는 국제개입)은 이라크와 아프가니스탄 그리고 레바논 정도이다.

또한 이스라엘과 터키와는 아주 깊숙한 군사협력을 하고있고, 이 두나라는 팔레스타인과 쿠르드족에 대한 탄압을 자행하는 나라로서 한국도 정부도 일정정도 책임을 공유해야 한다. 이들 5개 지역에서 한국의 평화운동이 활동을 해야 할 필요가 있다.

[국문] Text Fwd:[PSPD Commentary ] on the 42nd SCM

Peace Disarmament Team, People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, Oct. 13, 2010
참여연대 평화 군축팀, 2010년 10월 13일

[논평] 공격성 강화된 한미동맹 - 42차 한미연례안보협의회의(SCM)

- 북한 급변사태 대비 군사개입 계획은 국제법에 반하는 공격행위
- 핵우산 등 확장억제정책 강화, 북한에 대한 비핵화 요구와 상충
- 한미 군사동맹의 세계 군사개입 확대는 한미상호방위조약 위반
- 천안함 대응 자족적 평가, 유엔사 중립국위원회 문제제기는 외면

지난 10월 8일, 워싱턴 D.C에서 제 42차 한미연례안보협의회의가 개최되었고 한미 양국이 합의한 공동성명이 발표되었다. 국방부에 의해 발표된 공동성명은 한미군사동맹이 점점 더 공격적으로 전환되어 가면서 역내 군사대결구조를 강화하는 장본인으로 되어가고 있음을 보여준다. 참여연대 평화군축센터는 이에 심각한 우려를 표명한다.

이번 한미연례안보협의회의에서 합의된 주요 내용은 1) “불안정한 사태”를 한미 공동성명에서 공식적으로 명시함으로써 북한의 급변사태에 대한 준비태세 공고화 2) “확장억제정책위원회”를 제도화해 나가기로 합의하는 등 미국이 한국에 제공하는 핵우산, 재래식 타격 능력 및 미사일 방어능력 등의 확장억제정책 강화 3) 한미동맹의 강화와 더불어 한미동맹의 범주를 범세계적으로 확장하는 것이다. 이 내용들은 천안함 사건 이후 한반도에서 강화되고 있는 대북 대결 태세를 한층 강화시킬 뿐만 아니라, 한미상호방위조약을 위반하는 내용도 대거 포함하고 있다.

우선 이번 한미 공동성명에서는 처음으로 “불안정한 사태”라고 북한 급변 사태를 공식적으로 명시했다. 그동안 한미 양국은 이미 개념계획 5029의 작전계획화 등을 통해 이른바 ‘북한 급변 사태’에 대한 군사적 대응책을 추진해 왔다. 이번 한미연례안보협의회의를 거치면서 이 같은 양국의 군사적 개입계획이 더욱 구체화된 것으로 분석되고 있다. 한미 국방장관이 이번 회의에서 하달한 '전략기획지침(SPG)'에 의해 새롭게 구체화 될 작전계획의 구체적 내용은 알려지지 않고 있지만, 그간 한미연합사 등이 부분적으로 언급해온 것으로 비추어 볼 때, 전면전 등의 직접적인 무력 위협이 존재하지 않을 경우에도 ‘유사시’ 휴전선을 넘어 북한지도부를 체포하거나, 북 군사 행정 기구들을 접수하고 북한에 대한 안정화작전을 진행하는 등의 직접적인 군사적 점령계획을 포함하는 것이다. 이는 ‘방어’에 목적을 둔 한미상호방위조약에 반할 뿐만 아니라 국제법적으로는 침략행위로 간주될 수도 있는, 매우 공격적인 것이다. 한미 군사당국은 이 같은 군사개입계획의 개발을 즉각 중단해야 한다.

둘째, 성명은 한미동맹의 강화와 더불어 한미군사동맹 개입범위의 세계적 확장을 강조하고 있다. 성명에서는 “한미동맹을 양자, 지역, 범세계적 범주의 포괄적인 전략동맹으로 구축해 나간다는 양국 정상의 공약을 재확인”하였다며 “광범위한 범세계적 안보도전에 대처하기 위한 한미 간 협력을 증진해 나가기로 약속하였다”고 밝히고 있다. 이미 한국군은 아프간에서 그리고 미국이 진행하는 이른바 ‘대테러전쟁’의 또 다른 전선인 아덴만에서 미군과 군사적 행동을 함께 하고 있다. 그리고 레바논, 아이티같이 미국의 이해관계가 직결된 지역에 PKO를 파견하고 있다. 이는 ‘전략적 유연성’이라는 이름으로 주한미군이 세계분쟁에 직접 차출되는 것뿐만 아니라 한미군사동맹 자체가 전 세계로 확산되고 있음을 여실히 보여주고 있다. 이번 성명을 통해서 이러한 경향이 더욱 강화되고 있음이 재확인되었다. 이번 협의회에서 채택된 ‘국방협력지침’은 상호방위조약을 언급하면서도 “21세기 지역･범세계적 안보에 전략적으로 기여”하는 한미군사협력이 상호방위조약에 부합하는 지에 대해서는 구체적 언급을 회피하고 있다. 그러나 한미상호방위조약의 방위범위는 양국 영토에 대한 태평양지역에서의 위협이다. 그 이상의 동맹세계화는 이 조약의 방어목적에 위배된다. 특히 범세계적 안보에 전략적으로 기여하는 것은 “대한민국은 국제평화의 유지에 노력하고 침략적 전쟁을 부인한다”고 “국군은 국가의 안전보장과 국토방위의 신성한 의무를 수행함을 사명으로 한다”라고 명시되어 있는 헌법 5조의 평화조항에 위배된다.

셋째, 성명은 미국에 의해서 제공되는 핵우산, 재래식 타격 능력 및 미사일 방어능력 등의 확장억제 정책 강화를 공약하고 있다. 성명에 따르면 “확장억제의 실효성 제고를 위해 확장억제정책위원회를 제도화”하는 등 “확장억제를 강화”하겠다고 밝히고 있다. 그러면서도 한편으로는 북한에게 “모든 핵 프로그램과 핵무기 추구를 포기”할 것을 촉구하고 있기도 하다. 이것은 미국이 제공하는 핵억지력에 더욱 더 의존하는 정책을 채택함과 동시에 북한에 대해서는 핵억지력 보유를 포기하라고 요구하고 있는 것이므로 설득력이 없다. 이것은 또한 남과 북 두 지역 모두에서의 ‘비핵화’를 천명했던 한반도 비핵화 공동선언을 위반하는 것이기도 하다.

넷째, 천안함 사건과 관련하여 공동성명에서는 “천안함 사태에 대한 최종 합동조사결과 보고서가 발간된 것과 천안함 침몰에 관한 특별조사에 대한 유엔사의 특별 보고서가 유엔 안보리에 제출되어, 안보리 공식문서로서 정식으로 회람된 것을 환영 한다”고 밝히고 있다. 그러나 사실 천안함 최종보고서가 발표되었음에도 불구하고 천안함 침몰에 관한 의문점들은 여전히 풀리지 못했으며 여전히 전문가들에 의한 문제제기가 이루어지고 있는 상황이다. 유엔에 제공된 유엔사의 특별 보고서에는 ‘한국정부와 유엔사의 제한적 정보 제공’에 대해 문제제기하는 중립국감독위원회 관련국-스웨덴, 스위스, 폴란드 대표들의 보고서도 첨부되어 있다는 점에 대해서 양국은 외면하고 있다. 천안함 침몰의 원인이 명백하게 밝혀지기 위해서는 한국 정부가 천안함 관련한 정보를 국민과 국회, 그리고 중립국 대표들에게 상세하게 공개해야 하며, 나아가 러시아, 중국, 북한 등이 참여하는 국제공동조사와 국회 국정조사가 보장되어야 한다.

이번 성명에서 합의된 ‘국방협력지침’을 보면 “한미상호방위조약 상의 원칙과 목표를 지속적으로 추구할 것“을 분명히 밝히고 있다. 한미상호방위조약에 따르면 ”어떠한 국제적 분쟁이라도 국제적 평화와 안전과 정의를 위태롭게 하지 않는 방법으로 평화적 수단에 의하여 해결하고 무력에 의한 위협이나 무력의 행사를 삼가 할 것을 약속 한다“고 한다. 그러나 위에서 살펴본 바와 같이 이번 42차 한미연례안보협의회의의 공동성명 내용은 ‘평화적 수단’에 의한 해결을 위한 노력은커녕 남북 대결 태세를 강화해 한반도에서의 긴장을 강화시키고 심지어 한미상호방위조약을 위반하고 있는 내용이 대부분이다. 한미 양국은 한반도와 지역의 평화를 위협하는 한미군사동맹의 공격적 전환 작업을 중단해야 한다.

더불어 우리는 한미연례안보협의회의가 가진 구조적 문제점에 대해서도 지적하고자 한다. 군사적 위협을 강조하고 압도적 군사적 우위확보와 공격적 군사개입을 해법의 중심에 놓는 군사협력기구인 한미연례안보협의회의는 그 군사주의적 패권적 접근법으로 인해 도리어 지역 내에서 군사대결의 악순환을 불러오고, 새로운 군사적 위협을 부추기는 부정적 구실을 하고 있다. 양국 정부는 한미연례안보협의회의 같은 냉전적이고 폐쇄적인 논의 틀이 아닌 다른 대안적 논의 틀을 마련해야 한다. 그 핵심은 이른바 ‘국방전략’ 논의에 대한 민주적 통제를 강화하고 소위 군사전문가들이 제공하는 위협분석에 대한 민주적 이견제기 기능을 강화하는 것이다. 한미 양국 정부는 양국 시민들이 과연 어떤 위협이 문제가 되는지 재평가하고, 과연 군사적 해법 이외의 다른 해결책은 없는지 재검토하는데 민주적으로 참여할 수 있는 절차와 방식을 개발해야 한다. 한미관계의 바람직한 발전을 위해서는 양국 관계에서 군사적 관계가 차지하는 비중과 구실을 줄여야 한다. 이 요구에 부응하지 못하면 한미군사동맹은 갈수록 양국 시민들의 회의와 저항에 직면하게 될 것이다.

Text Fwd: US 'likely to stay in Iraq beyond 2011'

* Image source: same as the link

* Text informed from the Breaking News and Commentary from Citizens for Legitimate Government on Sept. 6, 2010

Press TV
US 'likely to stay in Iraq beyond 2011' :Despite US announcement of complete withdrawal from Iraq in 2011, Washington will reportedly keep thousands of soldiers in the war-torn nation.

American military experts said the remaining forces are expected to stay in Iraq beyond 2011 as a 'peacekeeping force' for a decade, AFP reported.

Last week, US President Barack Obama declared an end to Washington's combat mission in the war-ravaged country.

However, about 50,000 US troops remain in Iraq supposedly on training and advisory roles until a complete pull out.

Meanwhile, US officials are planning to employ thousands of private contractors to conduct operations formerly performed by US troops.

The report came after Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki last week expressed confidence that "Iraqi security forces are capable of taking full responsibility."

The United States invaded Iraq in 2003 under the pretext of destroying alleged weapons of mass destruction. However, no such weapons were ever found.

Nearly a trillion dollars have been spent and more than 4,400 US soldiers and countless number of Iraqi civilians have been killed since the invasion began.

AGB/MB/HRF

Related Stories:

* US admits Iraq war outcome 'clouded'
* Obama ends US mission in Iraq
* 'Iraqi forces capable of taking over'
* Biden in Iraq as US ends combat mission
* CBO: US war in Iraq costs $709bn

__________________________________________________

* Related article
The New York Times
Op-Ed Contributor
In Korea, a Model for Iraq
By PAUL D. WOLFOWITZ
Published: August 30, 2010

EXCERPTS

'The aftermath of another American war is instructive. Fifty-seven years ago, an armistice ended the fighting in Korea — another unpopular conflict, far bloodier than the Iraq war, although shorter. Civilian casualties were horrendous, and the United States and its allies suffered more than half a million military casualties. The South Korean Army took the heaviest losses, but the United States also paid a high price: 33,739 killed or missing in battle and 103,284 wounded. '

[* Note: Some even estimates about 4 million Koreans were killed during the Korean War]

'Some similar considerations apply to Iraq today. First, Iraq occupies a key position in the Persian Gulf, a strategically important region of the world — a position that is all the more important because of the dangerous ambitions of Iran’s rulers.'

'It is well worth celebrating the end of combat operations after seven years, and the homecoming of so many troops. But fully abandoning Iraq would damage the interests of the United States in the region and beyond. Maintaining a long-term commitment, albeit at greatly reduced cost and risk, is the best way to secure the gains that have been achieved with so much sacrifice.'

Paul D. Wolfowitz, a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, was the deputy secretary of defense from 2001 to 2005.

Text Fwd: Cambodia: U.S. Organizes First Large-Scale Multinational Military Exercise

* Text sent from Rick Rozoff on July 11, 2010

Malaysian National News Agency_Bernama.com

Cambodia To Host Large Scale Military Exercise Next Week
July 10, 2010 19:13 PM

PHNOM PENH, July 10 (Bernama) -- Cambodia will conduct its first ever large scale military exercise next week, a part of the United Nations Peacekeeping framework for strengthening peace and security, China's Xinhua news agency reported Saturday.

Chhum Socheat, spokesman of the Ministry of National Defence said that the military exercise codenamed "Angkor Sentinel 2010", will be conducted from July 17 to July 30, with 26 countries and more than 1,000 forces participating.

Among some of the participating countries are France, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia, India, Italy, Germany, Japan, Mongolia and the United Kingdom.

Of those forces, the largest number will be coming from Cambodia as a host country and from the United States, the co-organiser of the exercise.

Chhum Socheat said the military exercise, which is part of the Global Peace Operations Initiatives (GPOI), a UN-US peacekeeping-training programme will be conducted in two separate exercise.

The first field exercise will be held in Kompong Speu province, about 50 kilometers from Phnom Penh and the second exercise will be conducted in Phnom Penh as part of the far command from headquarters.

-- BERNAMA

Stop NATO
Blog site:

Text Fwd: Inauguration of PKO for Haiti Mission Due

Korea Times
02-16-2010 16:59
Inauguration of PKO for Haiti Mission Due
By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter

South Korea will designate a unit for peacekeeping operations (PKO) for earthquake-stricken Haiti Wednesday, the Ministry of National Defense said Tuesday.

Defense Minister Kim Tae-young will attend the inaugural ceremony of the 240-strong contingent, the sixth PKO unit from the country, the ministry said in a news release.

About 1,400 people will attend the ceremony at a military base in Incheon. Among them will be Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan, Gen. Lee Sang-eui, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Walter Sharp, commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command and lawmakers from the National Assembly’s Defense Committee.

The Assembly passed a motion on Jan. 9 to deploy the contingent to work with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). The contingent includes 120 engineers, 26 staff officers, and 41 Marines and reconstruction workers, according to the release.

Army Col. Kim Soo-seong will lead the contingent. Kim led the Dasan engineering unit in 2003 for rehabilitation missions in Afghanistan. The members of the unit will leave the country aboard a chartered airplane on Feb. 27.

A group of 30 troops left for Haiti last week to lay the groundwork for future arrivals. The forward group has worked to set up a post at the coastal city of Leogane, some 40 kilometers west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, where the Korean troops are slated to be stationed.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been confirmed dead since the small Caribbean country was hit by a powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake last month.

South Korea has pledged more than $16 million in aid to Haiti, and plans to share the estimated $25 million cost for its peacekeeping force with the United Nations.

In Haiti, there are 9,000 multinational troops and police enforcements, and more nations are promising to send troops, or add to the forces they have already dispatched.

gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr

Text Fwd: Korean PKO advance unit to leave for Haiti today

Jooang
Korean PKO advance unit to leave for Haiti today
February 10, 2010

An advance unit of Korean peacekeeping operations forces aiming to reconstruct earthquake-ravaged Haiti will depart Korea by means of a civil aircraft today, the Defense Ministry said yesterday, even as rescuers in the devastated nation pulled a survivor alive from the rubble of a marketplace.

“The National Assembly has approved a government plan to dispatch the PKO force,” said Yoon Won-sik, vice spokesman for the ministry. “An advance party of 30 members will leave for Haiti from Incheon International Airport [today] at around 7:30 p.m.”

The forward group, mostly composed of military engineering troops, plans to organize a post at the coastal city of Leogane, some 40 kilometers (24 miles) west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, where the troops are slated to be stationed. Leogane was the second most devastated city after the capital, and is considered a vulnerable point by the United Nations.

In addition, a 1,200-ton cargo ship loaded with engineering equipment and supplies will depart for Haiti from a port in Busan tonight. The ship is scheduled to arrive at Port-au-Prince on March 12.

The main unit of 210 military personnel, including medical officers and 120 engineers, will head for the Caribbean country around Feb. 27 to provide general reconstruction assistance. The UN said Monday it is “racing against time” to provide shelter for displaced residents before the rainy season begins.

The founding ceremony for the PKO unit, hosted by Gen. Han Min-koo, the Army chief of staff, is scheduled to take place at a unit under the Special Warfare Command next Wednesday. A farewell ceremony for the unit supervised by the Defense Minister Kim Tae-young will follow.

The National Assembly approved the deployment plan during a plenary session with all 173 participating lawmakers voting in favor of the dispatch. The deployment is expected to cost an estimated 28.7 billion won ($24.6 million), with the Korean government covering expenses up-front, and partial repayment coming from the UN at a later date.

A joint research and investigation team composed of nine government officials conducted a survey of Haiti for seven days beginning on Jan. 29.

Haiti was hit by an earthquake of 7.0 magnitude on Jan. 12. Some 200,000 people were killed, and the government was plunged into chaos.


By Lee Min-yong [smartpower@joongang.co.kr]

Text Fwd: Parliament committee approves Seoul's plan to dispatch peacekeeping troops to Haiti

Yonhap News
Parliament committee approves Seoul's plan to dispatch peacekeeping troops to Haiti
By Tony Chang

SEOUL, Feb. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee on Monday endorsed a government plan to send 240 peacekeeping troops, comprised mostly of engineers, to Haiti this month to aid in the reconstruction of the quake-stricken nation.

South Korean peacekeeping troops, including 120 military engineers, will be stationed in Leogane, 40 kilometers west of the capital Port-au-Prince, until the end of this year, the Foreign Ministry said.

The contingent will also include 22 medics, the ministry said.

Following the committee's approval, the government's plan must now be approved by the Assembly's plenary session on Tuesday or Wednesday before it can take effect.

"For the time being, the primary mission will be on reconstruction," Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan told the committee, adding that its operations have been and will be decided through close consultation with the U.N.

South Korea has pledged over US$16 million worth of relief supplies in the form of both government and civilian assistance to the Caribbean nation.

odissy@yna.co.kr

Text Fwd: Marines to Join Drills in Thailand

Image source/ caption: Yonhap News
‘S. Korea to join multinational drill in Thailand:
Jan, 8, SEOUL, South Korea -- South Korean navy and marine corps will join "Cobra Gold," a U.S.-led annual multinational exercise in Thailand that will start on Jan. 28 this year. It is the first time for South Korea to send troops to the drill, although it has previously joined as an observer. (Yonhap) (Photo courtesy of Navy)”

Korea Times
01-08-2010 19:44
Marines to Join Drills in Thailand
By Jung Sung-ki, Staff Reporter

About 330 South Korean Marines and sailors will participate in the U.S.-led multinational Cobra Gold exercise in Thailand to hone their joint humanitarian and peacekeeping operational skills with other nations, the Navy announced Friday.

The exercise will be held from Jan. 28 to Feb. 11, it said in a news release.

Cobra Gold is a joint exercise designed to ensure regional peace and strengthen the ability of allied forces to respond to regional contingencies.

South Korea has taken part in the drill, which the U.S. and Thai armed forces began in 1982, since 2002 as ab observer.

The exercise has expanded to include Singapore, Japan and Indonesia. Observers include Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mongolia, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.

The South Korean Marine Corps will dispatch 187 troops, along with eight amphibious assault vehicles — a 2,600-ton landing ship tank. A total of 146 Navy sailors will accompany the Marines, according to the release.

The Korean Marine Corps is the second largest in troop strength in the world, with more than 27,000 personnel. The service saw action during the Vietnam War, fighting alongside the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy SEALs. During the war, the Korean Marines were never defeated on the battlefield, earning nicknames such as "Ghost Busters."

During the 1950-53 Korean War, the South Korean Marines successfully carried out the renowned Incheon landing operation with the U.S. Marines to reclaim the capital of Seoul, then occupied by North Korea.

gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr


* Related blog

http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2010/01/text-fwd-s-korea-to-join-us-thai-led_08.html
Friday, January 8, 2010
Text Fwd: Thailand: South Korea To Join "Asian NATO" Exercise For First Time

Text Fwd: Korea to Send 1,000 Troops for PKO

* Image source/caption: same as the link below

'Yu Myung-hwan, Foreign Minister'

Korea Times
12-31-2009 16:05
Korea to Send 1,000 Troops for PKO
By Kim Sue-young, Staff Reporter

South Korea plans to send more than 1,000 troops to participate in U.N. peacekeeping operations (PKO) in 2010, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Thursday.

In a report to President Lee Myung-bak on its policies for the New Year, the ministry also vowed to make the G20 Summit in Seoul in November a success.

``Given its international status, it is appropriate to send more than 1,000 troops to PKOs,'' a ministry official said, requesting anonymity.

He said that disputed areas in Africa were being reviewed for operations, but details on the exact numbers and locations will be determined after consultations with the U.N.

Currently, Korea has 401 troops, the 39th largest among U.N. member countries, stationed in more than 10 countries including Lebanon, India and Pakistan.

The ministry also plans to place emphasis on the G20 Summit, a meeting of the world's 19 largest economies and the European Union.

It will appoint embassy officials to participating nations to encourage local entrepreneurs to support the summit.

President Lee will broaden his summit diplomacy toward the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, the report said.

``Lee focused on upgrading partnerships with four powers in his first year in office, and in 2009, he placed the emphasis on Asia,'' the official said.

``But this year's summit diplomacy will be centered on the other three regions,'' he added.

Additionally, Lee will promote a tripartite summit with China and Japan in May and negotiations for free trade agreements with the two neighboring countries.

The ministry will increase its Official Development Assistance (ODA) in a bid to extend its role in international society.

``We are seeking to increase ODA to 0.13 percent of GNI (growth national income) from the current 0.1 percent in 2009, and to 0.25 percent in 2015,'' the official said.
Korea joined the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD, a group of donors, last month.

ksy@koreatimes.co.kr

Text Fwd: Mission of Korean Anti-Piracy Forces Off Somalia Extended

Korea Times
12-29-2009 19:34
Mission of Korean Anti-Piracy Forces Off Somalia Extended
Jung Sung-ki, Staff Reporter

The National Assembly passed a motion Tuesday to extend the mission of the Navy's anti-piracy Cheonghae Unit, which is in waters off Somalia, until the end of next year.

Since its deployment in March, the 300-strong unit has successfully escorted more than 300 domestic and foreign cargo ships through the troubled waters and thwarted nine attempts by pirates to hijack ships.

The contingent consists of a 4,500-ton KDX-II destroyer, a Lynx anti-submarine helicopter and a group of 30 UDT/SEAL forces.

Last month, a third contingent left for the Somali littorals as part of a four-month rotation.

The KDX-II destroyer is equipped with an Mk 45 127mm gun, harpoon ship-to-surface missiles, RAM Mk 31 ship-to-air guided missiles, and a 30mm Goalkeeper system for engaging sea-skimming anti-ship missiles and torpedoes. Built in 2003, the 150-meter-long, 17-meter-wide ship has a top speed of 29 knots. Located along the route of a crude-oil pipeline connecting the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and racked by civil war, Somalia has become infamous for piracy.

Each year, about 20,000 ships sail through the Gulf of Aden headed for the Suez Canal, an important shipping route for international trade that links Europe to the Middle East and Asia. The International Maritime Organization counted 111 attacks in 2008 in waters near Somalia, the most notorious location for piracy in the world.

gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr

Text Fwd: Assembly Panel Passes Bill on Rapid Dispatch of Peacekeeping Troops

Korea Times
12-24-2009 22:54
Assembly Panel Passes Bill on Rapid Dispatch of Peacekeeping Troops
By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter

The National Assembly Judiciary Committee passed a motion Thursday to improve the nation's ability to response to a United Nations request for the dispatch of peacekeeping forces (PKFs).

The motion, which had already been passed the Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee, calls for allowing the government to decide on the location, troop level, and equipment of PKF deployments before getting parliamentary approval.

The motion calls for deploying up to 1,000 troops.

Under the current law, the government is required to obtain parliamentary approval when it wants to send a PKF overseas. Under the system, it typically takes six to seven months to train the troops and receive approval from the Assembly, which critics say is too long to meet U.N. requirements.

The motion is expected to be ratified during the plenary session, as ruling and opposition lawmakers agree on the need for a system facilitating rapid PKF deployment.

``So far, discussions on the deployment have to be made after parliamentary approval. Therefore, the schedule has been frequently delayed and South Korea has failed to secure favorable locations for its troops as other countries have taken them first,'' Rep. Song Min-soon of the main opposition Democratic Party said.

Since his inauguration early last year, President Lee Myung-bak has pledged to raise Korea's international profile by participating in more peacekeeping operations (PKO) around the world.

Seoul is the 10th-largest donor to U.N. PKOs, but its troop contribution is only the 39th largest.

Currently, some 400 South Korean troops are taking part in U.N. operations, including the 350-strong Dongmyeong Unit stationed in Lebanon.

gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr

[Text Fwd] On the Question of Japan’s involvement in Afghanistan

* Below is the E mail reply from Makiko Sato on Dec., 14, 2009, on ‘No Base Stories of Korea’s question of Japan’s involvement in Afghanistan. Thanks very much, Makiko, I really appreciate your research and information.


'I've looked for the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
I don't think many Japanese citizens regard the counter-piracy activities
of Japanese SDFs already on duty as some side-assistance of the Afghan War
to begin in Jan, even if some foreign media reports so.

・as for the counter-piracy activity by Japan

150 troops from the MSDF and GSDF is on duty now
for patrol against piracy with two '*escort destoyers' and two P3C s of MSDF.
The number of troops has been decreased from 400 under the former ruling party
to the present 150 under the ruling coalition.

*Sazanami, Samidare : DD, without cruise missiles for land attacks.
(Destroyers of Japan are not equipped with cruise missiles, wiki says.
This is because cruise missiles are unconstitutional.)

・as for the Japan's policy of finatial assistance of the Afghan war.

immediate assistance: ￥80 billion (* ￥is presently very strong)
already promised: ＄　2 billion
in 5 years from 2009: ＄　5 billion
http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/terrorism/strategy0911.pdf
。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。

But of course under the former ruling party, some unconstitutional
ASDF activities were done with the request of the US forces, as to the Iraq War.
However these activities—delivering the US troops and weapons to Iraq —
were ruled unconstitutional by Nagoya high court, although
the overall dispatch itself of ASDF to the Indian Ocean for oil supply
was not ruled so.

This was the important victory for the several hundreds of citizens who
filed lawsuits in several areas in Japan, questioning the unconstitutionality
of the SDFs' activity under the US command.

Now the present ruling coalition, with a tiny presense of tenatious peaceful party,
the Social Democratic Party, will not dare, because of the lawsuit ruling,
to tread on the controversial ground of unconstitutional assistance of any war
so easily as Koizumi did.
。。。。。。。。。。。。。

But of course under the former ruling party, some unconstitutional
ASDF activities were done with the request of the US forces, as to the Iraq War.
However these activities—delivering the US troops and weapons to Iraq —
were ruled unconstitutional by Nagoya high court, although
the overall dispatch itself of ASDF to the Indian Ocean for oil supply
was not ruled so.

This was the important victory for the several hundreds of citizens who
filed lawsuits in several areas in Japan, questioning the unconstitutionality
of the SDFs' activity under the US command.

Now the present ruling coalition, with a tiny presense of tenatious peaceful party,
the Social Democratic Party, will not dare, because of the lawsuit ruling,
to tread on the controversial ground of unconstitutional assistance of any war
so easily as Koizumi did.
。。。。。。。。。。。。。

As for the SDFs, yes, anybody abroad may think they are actual forces capable of war.
But of course Article 9 still works and prohibits some edges as attack weapons.
And referring to SDFs as usual forces may lead to complying to the US wishes to
convert Japan's SDFs into real forces which can go easily to war along with the USA,
like those of South Korea. So and so, I try not to call Japan's SDFs Navy, Army,,,,,
Many citizens who don't want to see Article 9 collapsed by the US never
refer to our SDFs as Air Force, Marine,,, etc.

Anyway, citizens have to be watchful of this matter so as not to be betrayed again.
Makiko'

Text Fwd: Lee Touts Global Role of Military

* Image Source/ Caption: Yonhap News

'Lee attends Armed Forces Day ceremony
Oct. 1, GYERYONG, South Korea -- President Lee Myung-bak (R) reviews troops during a celebration marking the 61st anniversary of the South Korean armed forces at Gyeryongdae military compound, some 165km south of Seoul, on Oct. 1. (Yonhap)'

Korea Times
0-01-2009 18:15
Lee Touts Global Role of Military
By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter

President Lee Myung-bak pledged Thursday to further increase the South Korean military's global role and missions to respond to new types of threats and match the country's economic power.

Lee called for building a ``highly efficient and multifunctional'' military to support his government's ``Global Korea'' policy.

``Our military should not neglect efforts to cope with the world's fast changing security environment,'' the President said in a speech at a ceremony to mark the 61st anniversary of the founding of the nation's armed forces. The ceremony took place at the Gyeryongdae military compound in South Chungcheong Province, attended by some 3,200 incumbent and former military leaders, war veterans and citizens.

``North Korea's threat is becoming more diverse, and new global threats, such as terror and piracy on the open seas, are on the rise. And the international community's expectations for our country and military has also increased,'' Lee said.

To satisfy these needs, he added, South Korea's military should be developed and overhauled further to become an advanced military capable of playing diverse roles at home and abroad.

Lee referred to Seoul's hosting of the G20 summit next year as an example of the country's ever-upgraded global status.

``The hosting of the G20 summit reflects that South Korea now stands in the center of the global stage beyond the Asian region,'' he stressed.

South Korea has dispatched thousands of troops to Iraq, Afghanistan and other regions as part of a coalition of peacekeeping member states.

Currently, about 350 troops are stationed in Lebanon as part of United Nations forces there. Hundreds of other naval seamen are also conducting anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia.

The President reaffirmed a stronger posture against North Korea, which has been constantly developing its asymmetrical military capability.

``I want to make it clear that our values and principles (of the security on the peninsula) will remain unchanged despite the need for dialogue with the North,'' he said. ``Our military should not be swayed by any outside factors. When our military readiness is firm, the chance for inter-Korean dialogue and peace will come earlier.''

The ceremony included a parade by the honor guards of the three military services, the conferment of medals to war veterans, and a performance of military arts and tactical sky diving.

Also included is a ceremonial flight of 21 helicopters, including AH-1Ss and UH-60s, and T-50 supersonic jets.

Under the Defense Reform 2020 package initiated in 2005, the number of South Korean forces will be downsized from the current 650,000 to 520,000 in stages. Instead, the military plans to introduce more advanced weapons systems to offset the decrease in troop levels.

gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr

Text Fwd: HERE WE GO AGAIN

* Image source: same as the blog below

Bruce Gagon blog
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
HERE WE GO AGAIN

Speaking of Mongolia, sandwiched between America's two biggest rivals, Navy Admiral Timothy Keating, Commander, US Pacific Command recently told the media, "They’re in, of course, a strategically critical spot for us, with Russia to the north and China in the south. They have some marvelous natural resources upon which they intend to capitalize. So they’re a good partner of ours, they’re good friends, and we enjoy working closely with them."

Indeed the US is very interested in the resources that lie beneath the soil of Mongolia. They have the world's third largest deposits of uranium with virtually none of it currently being extracted. Coal and gold are also available in Mongolia and the multi-national mining industries are salivating at the chance to get at all of these deposits - and they want to keep competitors like Russia and China at arms length.

But even more important is the strategic value of Mongolia's location. It is the perfect military outpost for any nation trying to surround Russia and China as the US is today.

Since 9-11 happened in 2001 the US has expanded its interaction with Mongolia. Military advisers now routinely make their way to Mongolia and the US is helping to finance and outfit new military bases there and is working to have unlimited access to them.

In August of this year the sixth annual Khaan Quest 2009 multinational military exercises were held there, jointly run by the Mongolian Armed Forces and the US Pacific Command under the Global Peace Initiative program, at the Five Hills Training Camp, 60 km west of Ulaanbaatar. Over 700 military personnel from Mongolia, US, India, South Korea, and Cambodia took part in the war games.

The Global Peace Initiative is a program managed by the U.S. Department of State to supposedly train "peace keeping troops" around the world. In truth this program recruits nations like Mongolia to have the Pentagon train their military forces for deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan and gives the US a "legitimate" excuse to set up military operations at bases inside their country.

You can imagine that China and Russia are not thrilled to have the US military prowling around another country right on their border. Mongolia is just one more example of the current aggressive US plan to create more military outposts around the world - particularly in Central Asia.

Be prepared next to hear that NATO wants to set up "global partnership" relationships with Mongolia.

Text Fwd: South Korean, Russian Admirals to Discuss Ties

Korea Times
09-15-2009 21:48
South Korean, Russian Admirals to Discuss Ties

By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter

Vice Adm. Sidenko Konstantin Semenovich, commander of Russia's Pacific Fleet, arrived in Korea Monday for his second visit here, the Navy said Monday.

He will meet with South Korean Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jung Ok-keun Wednesday and discuss ways of promoting cooperation between the two sides in their fight against piracy in Somali waters, it said.

They will also discuss ways to better ensure the safety of passageways for merchant ships in the Pacific.

South Korea and Russia are each operating a naval unit in the Gulf of Aden to fight pirates under a U.S.-led multinational drive.

"The two will have talks over ways to cooperate in their fight against Somali pirates and promote the security of maritime passageways in the Northeast Asian region that is emerging as the center of the global economy," a Navy spokesman said.

Semenovich and Jung will also discuss plans to commemorate the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year, he said.

Next year also marks the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Russian Pacific Fleet, which Semenovich has commanded since December 2007.

Semenovich's four-day visit marks the ninth exchange between high-ranking naval officers of the two countries.

gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr

Text Fwd: S. Korea's first anti-piracy troops return with numbers to note

* Image Source: Same as the article below

Yonhap News
S. Korea's first anti-piracy troops return with numbers to note 2009/09/14 15:58 KST By Sam Kim

SEOUL, Sept. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's first naval unit to be deployed off the Somali coast rescued seven vessels and escorted 325 during its 186 days of anti-piracy voyage, the Navy said Monday.

The first 300 members of the Cheonghae unit, operating aboard a 4,500-ton destroyer, returned home over the weekend, having handed over their mission in the Gulf of Aden to a replacement group.

Deployed in April, the Munmu the Great destroyer was carrying South Korea's first naval unit to be deployed overseas for either a peacekeeping or multinational operation.

Text fwd: S. Korean Marines to Join PKO Drills in Mongolia

Korea Times
08-07-2009 20:56
S. Korean Marines to Join PKO Drills in Mongolia
By Jung Sung-ki, Staff Reporter

South Korea will dispatch a platoon of Marines for the first time to a multinational peacekeeping exercise to be held in Mongolia later this month, government officials said Friday.

Korea has participated in the annual ``Khan Quest'' exercise since 2006 as an observer by sending working-level officers.

This year's exercise will take place from Aug. 15 to 25 at a training camp, about 40 miles west of the capital Ulan Bator, officials at the Ministry of National Defense said.

Since 2001, the general staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces, with the support of the U.S. Pacific Command, has organized the summer peacekeeping exercise.

For the first five years, only Mongolian and U.S. troops participated in the exercise. The joint drills have expanded since then to include many other countries.

About 450 troops from some 20 nations, including Germany, India, Bangladesh and Cambodia, are to take part in this year's exercise.

During Khan Quest, instructors, who have experience in peacekeeping operations overseas, lead practical lessons in realistic conditions. Troops also introduce their weapons and military vehicles to each other.

Korea has actively participated in peacekeeping operations overseas. Currently, about 350 soldiers are stationed in Lebanon, while a 300-strong naval unit is conducting an anti-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia.

In June, the government announced a plan to establish a 3,000-strong standby peacekeeping unit that can be rapidly deployed to troubled regions.


• Related blog

http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2009/08/text-fwd-chinas-russias-neighbor-us.html
Friday, August 7, 2009
Text Fwd: China's, Russia's Neighbor: US Military In Mongolian Military Exercise