Lawmakers support Afghan dispatch

Legislators of the National Assembly`s foreign affairs and defense committees were exceedingly in favor of the government`s latest decision to dispatch military forces to protect civilian aid workers who will help rebuild Afghanistan.

The fate of the dispatch hinges on parliamentary sentiment as the government is required to seek approval from the legislature.

In a survey conducted by The Korea Herald of 41 lawmakers on the two committees, 24 lawmakers -- or two thirds of 32 respondents -- said they supported the dispatch policy. Nine declined to respond.

Ruling Grand National Party legislators formed the majority of those in favor, with 18 legislators supporting the plan. Another three lawmakers were of the main opposition Democratic Party.



One lawmaker each from the Pro-Park Alliance and Liberty Forward Party supported the dispatch, along with one other independent legislator.

The nine who opposed were mostly from the DP, the survey showed.

"Security concerns, not to mention that the dispatch is not a part of peacekeeping efforts but a policy to join a multinational military force are the reasons why we have decided to oppose," DP spokesman Woo Sang-ho said yesterday declaring the party`s official stance.



Overall, legislators of the defense committee were overwhelmingly supportive of the dispatch, with 10 out of 13 legislators responding in favor. They were mostly of the GNP. Three others of the DP were opposed.

One legislator said the government should go the extra mile "by considering sending in combat forces."

In the foreign affairs committee, 14 out of 19 lawmakers wanted the dispatch to take off. Five others were against the idea, saying economic assistance is sufficient.

The Foreign Ministry last month announced plans to send up to 300 soldiers to Afghanistan to protect the Korean civilian workers operating as a part of the Provincial Reconstruction Team.

The government also hopes to dispatch some 130 civilians to expand Seoul`s reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. An independent base camp is to be built to house the increased personnel.

There are currently some 24 civilian workers who are under the protection of the U.S. Bagram Air Base.

Some of the DP members who agreed to the dispatch suggested preconditions such as reducing the number of troops and creating positive public sentiment.

Koreans thus far appear to be uncertain about sending troops and more civilians to Afghanistan as they are reminded of a hostage situation in 2007 when the Taliban captured a group of Korean missionaries. Two in the team were murdered.

Korea pulled out a 200-strong team of army medics and engineers soon thereafter.

The government plans to seek National Assembly approval early next year, assuming it receives a go-ahead from NATO to join the International Security Assistance Force.

This security force is led by NATO and mandated by the United Nations Security Council to offer security and development in Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban.

"We have applied to join ISAF, but we have yet to hear word from NATO," said one high-ranking Foreign Ministry official on condition of anonymity.

Countries wait for months for a green light from NATO.

"But in Korea`s case, we don`t believe it will take that long," he added.

Some 42 nations are participating as ISAF members in Afghanistan.

(jemmie@heraldm.com)





By Kim Ji-hyun and Cho Ji-hyun