korea project |
|
Stop
Sending Troops To Iraq Statement of the Korean Women’s Associations United (KWAU) 21 June 2005 |
|
The government
of President Roh has announced, despite the nation's concerns, that
it will send additional troops to Iraq. The decision was made three
days ago in a standing committee of the National Security Council.
The 'Zaytun' unit will leave for Irbil, a Kurdish autonomous region
in Iraq, starting in August, continuing through October. With the
Soe-hee unit already there, the number of Korean troops will now be
3,655 soldiers, making them the third largest of all foreign forces
deployed in Iraq. Only Korea has decided to send additional troops,
while others are reducing or pulling their troops out of Iraq. Now
the worries concerning the safety of our citizens worldwide should
grow even more, as we saw in the tragic death of Kim Sun-il, the Korean
worker who was captured and executed by a terrorist group in Iraq
on June 22, 2004. Now is the time to stop the troop deployment schedule and focus on analyzing the Iraqi situation. The government, however, has made a hasty decision regardless of the facts. The world’s largest additional troop commitment, and, besides the US, the third largest total deployment - this is not only against the decisions for withdrawal that most countries are making, but is also a threat to Iraqi-Korean relations and the safety of our citizens. We demand that the government rescind the deployment plan before it is too late and pull out the Soe-hee unit, to enhance Korea's international prestige and secure its peace and safety. We demand that
the ruling Uri Party reconsider the deployment plan We demand that
the 17th National Assembly check and guide the government Since the US occupation Iraq has lost peace and hope. Women and children struggle with the burdens of disease, broken families, poverty and unemployment. Korean people are also experiencing uneasiness and disappointment with their government’s decision, one that is damaging to their long-standing efforts for peace and democracy. We women who give life and love peace demand again that the government reverse their decision and step out of the vicious cycle of violence. We further demand that all assemblymen and women join the movement for justice, life and peace. |