ID :
22386
Fri, 10/03/2008 - 09:26
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/22386
The shortlink copeid
U.S. Senate approves upgrade of S. Korea's arms purchase status
(ATTN: UPDATES with more details from 8th para)
By Yoo Cheong-mo
SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. Senate has approved a bill on the elevation of South Korea's status in purchasing U.S. arms, Seoul's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Thursday.
The approval on Wednesday upgrades the country's Foreign Military Sales (FMS)
status to that held by NATO, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
The U.S. House had already approved the South Korean FMS bill, which was part of
the agreement reached between President Lee Myung-bak and his U.S. counterpart
George W. Bush at their Camp David summit in April.
Washington's FMS program is meant to facilitate the sales of U.S. arms, defense
equipment, defense services and military training to foreign governments.
Under the upgraded status, the ceiling of South Korea's U.S. arms purchases and
their legislative screening period will be raised to the levels of the so-called
"NATO Plus Three" nations.
"The U.S. Senate approved the South Korean FMS bill, together with the US$700
billion financial bailout package, in Washington Wednesday morning," said a
ranking official of Cheong Wa Dae.
"From now on, South Korea will be treated like NATO and three other U.S. allies
-- Japan, Australia and New Zealand -- in buying American arms and defense
systems," said the official.
He noted that South Korea has persistently asked for FMS status since the mid-
1990s, forecasting that it would drastically simplify procedures for South
Korea's purchases of U.S. arms and defense systems.
At present, the U.S. government is required to notify Congress of all proposed
defense equipment sales to South Korea exceeding $14 million. Under FMS status
terms, the ceiling will be raised to $25 million, with the period of U.S.
parliamentary screening to be curtailed from the current 50 days to 15 days.
"Thanks to the Congressional approval, the term for the top-rated U.S. FMS Status
should now be changed to 'NATO Plus Four.' It vividly demonstrates the further
reinforced alliance between the two countries," said the official.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)
By Yoo Cheong-mo
SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. Senate has approved a bill on the elevation of South Korea's status in purchasing U.S. arms, Seoul's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Thursday.
The approval on Wednesday upgrades the country's Foreign Military Sales (FMS)
status to that held by NATO, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
The U.S. House had already approved the South Korean FMS bill, which was part of
the agreement reached between President Lee Myung-bak and his U.S. counterpart
George W. Bush at their Camp David summit in April.
Washington's FMS program is meant to facilitate the sales of U.S. arms, defense
equipment, defense services and military training to foreign governments.
Under the upgraded status, the ceiling of South Korea's U.S. arms purchases and
their legislative screening period will be raised to the levels of the so-called
"NATO Plus Three" nations.
"The U.S. Senate approved the South Korean FMS bill, together with the US$700
billion financial bailout package, in Washington Wednesday morning," said a
ranking official of Cheong Wa Dae.
"From now on, South Korea will be treated like NATO and three other U.S. allies
-- Japan, Australia and New Zealand -- in buying American arms and defense
systems," said the official.
He noted that South Korea has persistently asked for FMS status since the mid-
1990s, forecasting that it would drastically simplify procedures for South
Korea's purchases of U.S. arms and defense systems.
At present, the U.S. government is required to notify Congress of all proposed
defense equipment sales to South Korea exceeding $14 million. Under FMS status
terms, the ceiling will be raised to $25 million, with the period of U.S.
parliamentary screening to be curtailed from the current 50 days to 15 days.
"Thanks to the Congressional approval, the term for the top-rated U.S. FMS Status
should now be changed to 'NATO Plus Four.' It vividly demonstrates the further
reinforced alliance between the two countries," said the official.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)
