Military

DATE=7/17/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PENTAGON / KOREA (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-278348

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Pentagon has confirmed it is discussing the closure of some U-S military installations in South Korea with South Korean authorities. But as V-O-A Correspondent Alex Belida reports from the Pentagon, defense officials stress no troop cuts are under consideration.

TEXT: The semi-official "Star and Stripes" newspaper reports the U-S military plans to close 15 major installations in South Korea. The newspaper, quoting a top U-S military official, says the 10-year plan is in the final stages of negotiation with South Korean authorities.

Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral Craig Quigley declines to confirm the number of installations being closed. But he tells reporters a process has been under way for more than one year now aimed at consolidating U-S facilities over the next decade for more efficient operations.

/// QUIGLEY ACTUALITY ///

The overarching goal is to take a look at the existing infrastructure as it exists, where could we more efficiently consolidate our operating footprint, and if you really think it makes sense to perhaps open a new facility here if we could close these two or three over here, then let's take a good hard look at that. But it's meant to be a very gradual, long-term process. Not a part of the discussions is a discussion of force levels. It is just how the forces are dispersed throughout the country.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

There are about 37-thousand U-S troops stationed in South Korea.

The "Stars and Stripes" says there are currently 41 major U-S installations in South Korea as well as 54 smaller sites such as communications relay stations. Under the consolidation plan, the United States would return thousands of hectares of land to South Korea, much it now used as training grounds by American troops. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/JWH