Herald Sun: S. Korean troops set for Iraq [02apr03]
S. Korean troops set for Iraq
02apr03
PRESIDENT Roh Moo-Hyun has urged South Koreans to back his pledge to send troops to Iraq, saying support for the United States now was essential to resolving the North Korean nuclear crisis.
"For a peaceful solution to the North Korea nuclear issue, solid South Korea-US cooperation is very important," the president said in a speech to the National Assembly to rally support for the dispatch of 700 non-combatants to Iraq.
Roh's backing for the war has triggered the biggest challenge to his administration since he took office in February.
Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets in opposition to the dispatch of troops to back the US-led campaign and Roh's own Millennium Democratic Party is deeply split.
Opinion polls show some 80 per cent of South Koreans oppose the war.
>>
I have decided to send troops. It is because the fate of this country and the nation are at stake," said Roh.
"I have reached the conclusion that it would be of much more help to resolving the North's nuclear issue peacefully if we ... strengthen South Korea-US ties at a time when the United States is in need rather than stand on principle and incur friction in bilateral ties."
>>
"Many lawmakers and people are opposed to the dispatch of troops. The main reason is that this war had no grounds," said Roh.
"This is a logic based on both principles and reality. But regretfully, international politics are swayed by the power of reality, not by principles."
S. Korean troops set for Iraq
02apr03
PRESIDENT Roh Moo-Hyun has urged South Koreans to back his pledge to send troops to Iraq, saying support for the United States now was essential to resolving the North Korean nuclear crisis.
"For a peaceful solution to the North Korea nuclear issue, solid South Korea-US cooperation is very important," the president said in a speech to the National Assembly to rally support for the dispatch of 700 non-combatants to Iraq.
Roh's backing for the war has triggered the biggest challenge to his administration since he took office in February.
Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets in opposition to the dispatch of troops to back the US-led campaign and Roh's own Millennium Democratic Party is deeply split.
Opinion polls show some 80 per cent of South Koreans oppose the war.
>>
I have decided to send troops. It is because the fate of this country and the nation are at stake," said Roh.
"I have reached the conclusion that it would be of much more help to resolving the North's nuclear issue peacefully if we ... strengthen South Korea-US ties at a time when the United States is in need rather than stand on principle and incur friction in bilateral ties."
>>
"Many lawmakers and people are opposed to the dispatch of troops. The main reason is that this war had no grounds," said Roh.
"This is a logic based on both principles and reality. But regretfully, international politics are swayed by the power of reality, not by principles."
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