Suh continued anti American discussions in primary schools, and the cancellation of a visit by Henry Hyde, chairman of the US House of Representatives on International Relations did not serve the country's interests. He said there was a smell that unseen hands were manipulating current events and that certain presidential candidates were using the issue for their benefit.

Analysts note the GNP's separation of the SOFA issue from anti Americanism is part of its security and diplomatic policies based on the alliance with the US. They say Lee was using the anti Americanism, which leaned towards Roh, but had to step away due to conservatives' complaints.

Suh told a campaign strategy meeting that the onset of the Kim Dae-jung administration heralded the start of anti-American sentiment, which is now expanding.

Millennium Democratic Party presidential candidate Roh Moo-hyun met delegates from a civic group formed to protest the acquittal of the two US soldiers involved in the accident and said SOFA revision must be done, and it was righteous to call for the US president's direct apology. Roh continued, however, that it was inadvisable for a presidential candidate to join in such activity without considering side effects and refused to sign a petition.

Rhee In-je, acting head of the United Liberal Democrat said the election should be about the selection of a leader, who will be in charge of national security and the economy. Rhee noted the ULD was very cautious about recent political demagoguery operated by some presidential candidates based on the public's anti-American sentiment.

Hanaro National Union’s presidential candidate Lee Han-dong also expressed his worry that some presidential candidates were exploiting anti-American sentiment to increase their support. (Hong Seok-joon, udo@chosun.com )