ID :
154150
Tue, 12/21/2010 - 03:56
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/154150
The shortlink copeid
Aust observes Korean military exercise
Australia has officially observed the South Korean military exercise which North
Korean threatened would spark deadly retaliation if it proceeded.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith said an Australian Defence Force representative
observed the Republic of Korea's live fire exercise from Yeonpyeong Island.
He said it was a routine training activity conducted on Republic of Korean territory
and within Republic of Korean territorial waters south of the Northern Limit Line.
The Republic of Korea military took all the usual and appropriate steps to advise
North Korea of the exercise and did not inflict any damage on North Korea or its
territory, he said.
"Australia has observed this exercise in its capacity as a contributing nation to
the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC)," he said in a
statement.
"Australia's defence attache to the Republic of Korea serves as liaison officer to
UNCMAC."
Mr Smith said UNCMAC played an important role in supervising the Armistice Agreement
that ended the Korean War in 1953.
After a similar exercise by South Korean marines based on Yeonpyeong on November 23,
the North fired some 170 shells, killing four people and damaging dozens of homes.
North Korea on Saturday said the upcoming exercise would make it impossible to
prevent the situation on the Korean peninsula from exploding and escape its ensuing
disaster.
But the exercise on Monday seems to have passed without incident.
Mr Smith said Australia supported the sovereign right of the Republic of Korea to
conduct military exercises within the terms of the 1953 Armistice Agreement.
"Australia urges North Korea to comply with the terms of that agreement," he said.
Mr Smith said the UN Security Council (UNSC) met overnight in a closed emergency
session to discuss the situation on the Korean peninsula but regrettably failed to
reach agreement.
"Australia is deeply disappointed that some UNSC members failed to agree to condemn
North Korea's November 23 attack against the Republic of Korea," he said.
"Australia continues to strongly urge China and Russia to increase pressure on North
Korea to cease its hostile and provocative acts and meet its international
obligations."
Korean threatened would spark deadly retaliation if it proceeded.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith said an Australian Defence Force representative
observed the Republic of Korea's live fire exercise from Yeonpyeong Island.
He said it was a routine training activity conducted on Republic of Korean territory
and within Republic of Korean territorial waters south of the Northern Limit Line.
The Republic of Korea military took all the usual and appropriate steps to advise
North Korea of the exercise and did not inflict any damage on North Korea or its
territory, he said.
"Australia has observed this exercise in its capacity as a contributing nation to
the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC)," he said in a
statement.
"Australia's defence attache to the Republic of Korea serves as liaison officer to
UNCMAC."
Mr Smith said UNCMAC played an important role in supervising the Armistice Agreement
that ended the Korean War in 1953.
After a similar exercise by South Korean marines based on Yeonpyeong on November 23,
the North fired some 170 shells, killing four people and damaging dozens of homes.
North Korea on Saturday said the upcoming exercise would make it impossible to
prevent the situation on the Korean peninsula from exploding and escape its ensuing
disaster.
But the exercise on Monday seems to have passed without incident.
Mr Smith said Australia supported the sovereign right of the Republic of Korea to
conduct military exercises within the terms of the 1953 Armistice Agreement.
"Australia urges North Korea to comply with the terms of that agreement," he said.
Mr Smith said the UN Security Council (UNSC) met overnight in a closed emergency
session to discuss the situation on the Korean peninsula but regrettably failed to
reach agreement.
"Australia is deeply disappointed that some UNSC members failed to agree to condemn
North Korea's November 23 attack against the Republic of Korea," he said.
"Australia continues to strongly urge China and Russia to increase pressure on North
Korea to cease its hostile and provocative acts and meet its international
obligations."
