President Roh Moo-hyun on Wednesday said that he would not make a hasty decision on the size and composition of a ROK contingent to be sent to Iraq.

In a meeting with a group of journalists based in South Chunchong Province at Chong Wa Dae, Roh said, ``Although some argue for an early decision, I don’t think that there is anything to lose regarding the timing of our decision so we should take our time to go over all important details before finalizing our stance.’’

Roh’s remarks came after repeated calls by Washington to send a larger contingent including combat soldiers.

Chong Wa Dae officials said that a decision may not be possible before year-end.

``Even if we decide not to send troops to Iraq, there would be no significant problems in maintaining our alliance with the U.S.,’’ he said. His spokesman Yoon Tai-young said that Roh’s remarks were intended to show the strength of alliance.

Roh’s policy on the troop dispatch has meandered. He seems unable to come up with a definite stance regarding the sensitive issue.

This inability has been fueling uncertainty, triggering concern over the discrepancy among relevant ministries. It has also caused worry over a possible schism in the Seoul-Washington alliance.

Rebuffing speculative reports over the specific size and type of the planned troops dispatch, Roh on Wednesday refused to give a clear stance, referring it to political consideration.

``Although the Defense Ministry calls for the need to secure security in certain areas (by sending combat troops) rather than dispatching noncombatants, political factor is more important for a head of state,’’ he said during a meeting with chief policy makers of four major political parties on Wednesday at Chong Wa Dae.

Roh’s remark was taken to mean he would take various factors into account in determining the issue, like the unstable situation in Iraq and the fierce opposition at home, especially among the so-called progressive forces who supported Roh during the presidential election last year.

And this contradicts his earlier statement that there would be no political considerations in deciding the matter, such as the proposed national referendum to appeal for confidence on his ability as head of state and the upcoming general elections in April next year.

He also renewed an earlier stance to have consult with leaders of the four parties before submitting any final decision. He is apparently trying to shift the possible burden that may arise were he to make the decision by himself.

With the statement, Roh refuted a U.S. request for a larger contingent of troops and backtracked from his early remark that he would put first priority on the alliance with the U.S. in deciding the matter.

``The matter will be determined by taking into account our relationship with the US as a first priority,’’ he said on Monday, refuting some reports that Seoul will send only 3,000 noncombatants.

Critics said Roh has increasingly become aware of the protests from his anti-dispatch supporters and is mindful of the Assembly elections next year.

Earlier, Roh said he decided to send troops to Iraq despite the risk that he may lose more than half of his supporters.

Roh instructed the Defense Ministry to take the leading role in mapping out two final options in consultation with relevant ministries so that he could choose one of them.

A Chong Wa Dae official said U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfled is expected to visit Roh on Nov. 17 when he comes here to attend the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) to convey the U.S. stance over the matter.

He said, however, the President is not likely to finalize the matter by that time given the changed situation amid growing move to reverse plans to send troops to Islamic nations. Further, the Assembly mission is set to return home around the end of this month

Shim Jae-yun
Staff Reporter