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U.S. reassures Seoul over troops (and more for Down Under)
U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is visiting U.S. troops based at the Korean peninsulaâs tense Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) amid concerns in Seoul over Washingtonâs commitment to the regionâs defense. Plans to move U.S. troops further away from the DMZ have prompted fears that those forces will no longer provide a "tripwire" defense against a surprise attack from North Korea.Canât live with us, canât live without us. Rumsfeld on Monday moved to reassure South Korean officials the pullback would in fact strengthen defense capabilities, not weaken them. In Rumsfeldâs view, moving U.S. troops farther south of the DMZ would enable the U.S. Army to respond more quickly to an attack by the North. As currently positioned, the Army would have to withdraw south of Seoul first, while in range of the Northâs long-range artillery, before organizing a counteroffensive. The South Korea deployment changes form part of a much broader review of U.S. military forces in the Asia Pacific region, which is underpinning Rumsfeldâs six-day Asian trip. This could eventually include a reduction of troop numbers in South Korea and Japan. Let the RoK forces handle the land war, and weâll provide air and naval support. Then move the 2ID whereever we need it, and the 25ID moves as reserve to a different situation. U.S. Army General Leon LaPorte, commander of the 37,000 U.S. forces in South Korea, said in an interview Monday a shrinkage of the U.S. military on the Korean Peninsula "may be one of the payoffs" from a multiyear plan for consolidating forces and introducing new military capabilities. But the realignment of the U.S. military footprint in the Asia Pacific — which currently numbers around 100,000 troops — is only in the planning stages, with many options being discussed amongst the allies in the region. Military analyst for the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Aldo Borgo">Aldo Borgo told CNN there were few specifics known about the reorganization because it was "still very much in development". "That wonât stop me from commenting Say, whereâs my speaking fee?" Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill will be meeting with Rumsfeld in Washington on Thursday to discuss a wide range of joint military issues, chief among them the situation in Iraq. Australia would also be arguing for no overall reduction in military presence in the Asia Pacific region, but it was unlikely Canberra would seek any input into the shape of that commitment, Borgo said. Since the Aussies are pals, weâll listen. Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Australiaâs Department of Defense dismissed a media report that the U.S. was considering asking Australia to establish a "logistics hub" in the northern city of Darwin as part of the reorganization. The Sydney Morning Herald, quoting an unnamed U.S. defense source, said Tuesday the proposal included an offer for the US to house large numbers of tanks, military vehicles, ammunition and artillery in Darwin. The U.S. stressed the "logistics and training facility" would not be permanently staffed by Americans and should not be called a military base, the newspaper reported. "We have said in the past there has been no suggestion of U.S. bases in Australia," Catherine Fitzpatrick, media adviser for the Defense Minister, told CNN. That position had not changed, she said, although there had been discussion of —- but no commitment to — joint Australian-U.S. training facilities. Just the thing though to make sure the Indonesians know weâre around. Posted by: Steve White 2003-11-18 |
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