Cablegate: Rok Pko in Haiti Fully Self-Sufficient

VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUL #0240 0470912
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 160912Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 2022
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7079
INFO RUEHZH/HAITI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

UNCLAS SEOUL 000240

SIPDIS

FOR HAITI TASK FORCE AND UNDKPO/OMA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV HA SOCI MCAP MARR SNAR ASEC EFIN
KJUS, KPKO, XL, KS
SUBJECT: ROK PKO IN HAITI FULLY SELF-SUFFICIENT

REF: STATE 12558

1. (U) On February 16, Jun Ji Sun, Deputy Director, UN
Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, informed
Poloff that the Republic of Korea's peacekeeping team in
Haiti is self-sufficient and does not require any logistics
or transportation assistance at this time. Jun reported that
the advance team of 30 peacekeepers was delayed in New York
last week due to the weather, but arrived in Haiti on
February 13. The next advance team of 20 troops will depart
on February 18, followed by the rest of the peacekeeping team

on February 27. All ROK soliders will travel to Santo
Domingo and will likely travel to Haiti by land.

2. (U) Jun reported that the Ministry of National Defense
contracted with a Korean delivery corporation to arrange for
a Sri-Lankan cargo ship, the Hennascan, to transport
engineering equipment, vehicles and food supplies to Haiti.
The ship departed from the port of Busan on February 10 and
is expected to arrive in Haiti on March 13.

3. (U) When asked whether the ROK peacekeeping team was in
need of any assistance, Jun replied that the Minister had
directed the peacekeepers to "survive by themselves," so the
Korean Embassy in Santo Domingo was forced to be creative in
finding a vehicle to transport the advance team to Haiti.
However, Jun said, "we are trying to do our duty."

4. (U) Jun confirmed again that the ROK has authorized the
peacekeepers to remain in Haiti until the end of the year, at
which time the mission may be extended if necessary.
STEPHENS

© Scoop Media