Gov't Strongly Protests 8th U.S. Army Commander's Statements 8th U.S. Army Commander Hints at USFK Reductions, But Expanded Alliance Role The New Acheson Line? by Kim Dae-joong

USFK reductions were first proposed last June by the U.S. side, but due to Korea's desire to discuss USFK reductions in the public sphere and the U.S.'s negative take on this, a year has gone past without an agreement.

One high-ranking government official met with reporters Friday and said, "The U.S. officially announced the GPR last November, and in April, it conveyed that it would be good to work out an agreement sometime in June or July... We, too, said we positively consider it."

The official added, "If negotiations began next month, this would be in line with the GPR."

In particular, he said, "During the second round of the Future of the Alliance talks that opened on June 5, the U.S. explained its idea for a USFK reduction... Its initial position was that it hoped for an agreement on USFK reductions."

Asked if the U.S. had said it would withdraw 12,000 men as recently proposed, the official said that the U.S. had discussed a reduction of that size.

Concerning these reductions, the government has set out to 1) prevent economic unease and political confusion; 2) prevent the security situation, including deterrence against the North, from weakening; 3) complete programs connected with independent defense and USFK redeployments and reductions; and 4) release to the public negotiation points.

At the same time, a committee headed by the prime minister concerning USFK policy commenced in August set down policies to discuss publicly the USFK reduction issue. In late September, a negotiating party composed of Defense Ministry, Foreign Ministry and National Security Council personnel visited the U.S. to discuss the issue.

(englishnews@chosun.com )