U.S. President George W. Bush and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun will meet in Washington on Sept. 14.Unlike than the "re-deployment" plan (Okinawa, anyone?) advocated by John Murtha, where troops will be taken from where they are needed to where they aren't, this plan actually calls for redeployment from where they aren't needed to where they are.
A South Korean government official speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Seoul newspaper Chosun Ilbo that Bush and Roh would subsequently issue a joint statement including an agreement on South Korea eventually exercising sole wartime control of its troops.
Chosun Ilbo reported Aug. 25 that the two presidents would also take the opportunity to comment on the "continuing strength" of the South Korea-U.S. alliance.
Another South Korean government official, speaking anonymously, told the newspaper that since Bush had agreed to the idea of ceding wartime military control, "there is a strong possibility that the two will confirm the principles" for the handover ahead of the Security Consultative Meeting that will produce a "road map" in Washington the following month.
Under the terms of the agreement the South Korean government will gain autonomy, while the Bush administration will be able to continue its global troop realignment, "strategic flexibility" allowing troops currently deployed in South Korea to be shifted elsewhere.
Which is one more reason why it's not safe to vote democrat; and especially unsafe to vote for Jack Murtha.
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(Technorati: Bush, Iraq, War, South Korea, Murtha)
