*EPF309 07/25/01
Text: Hubbard Calls Security, Commerce Top Priorities in Korea
(July 25 testimony by nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Korea) (770)
Security on the Korean peninsula and trade will be the top priorities for Thomas Hubbard, President Bush's nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.
During his July 25 testimony to the Senate Foreign Relation Committee, Hubbard pledged to attach "the utmost priority to close policy coordination as the U.S. and the Republic of Korea work together towards peace and stability on the Peninsula."
He also vowed to work "assiduously on the 'problems of success' -- the nettlesome trade and commercial disputes and frictions that are part and parcel of economic interaction between modern capitalist economies."
Following is the text of Hubbard's remarks, as prepared for delivery:
(begin text)
Statement of Thomas C. Hubbard
Ambassador-designate Republic of Korea
Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
July 25, 2001
Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, it is a great honor to appear before you today as President Bush's nominee to be the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea. I last appeared before this Committee as a Presidential nominee five years ago when I was confirmed to serve as Ambassador to the Philippines. For a career Foreign Service officer, it is wonderful to have the opportunity to represent our country twice vis-?vis close Asian Allies. I am deeply grateful to the President and to Secretary Powell for placing their confidence in me through this nomination. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the Committee, interested members of Congress, and other Americans to represent the United States in South Korea.
The United States has particularly deep and wide-ranging interests on the Korean Peninsula, and, if confirmed, I will devote all my efforts to further advance them. In that regard, nothing is more important than to maintain the solid U.S.-ROK alliance, built in shared bloodshed, that has deterred armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula for close to half a century.
On the basis of this firm alliance, the Republic of Korea has been able to develop a modern, technologically advanced economy and a complex and sophisticated democratic society and political system. The secure, democratic and prosperous Republic of Korea that we see today stands as a striking success story for United States foreign policy as well as, of course, a stupendous achievement of the Korean people themselves.
Based on the success of the Republic of Korea and the large commonality of interests between the ROK and us, we are now close partners in pursuing solutions to regional and global problems. These encompass areas such as democracy, human rights, the environment, and international law enforcement.
Unfortunately, the Korean Peninsula remains divided along a heavily fortified line. While maintaining deterrence through their combined forces, the US and the ROK are also embarked on a course that seeks through dialogue to bring a peaceful end to the Korean War and eventually to eliminate the threat that North Korea poses to our Korean and Japanese allies as well as to the stability of Northeast Asia and beyond. It is crucial that the US and the ROK stand together as the North Korean regime considers whether to walk the path of peace and reconciliation opened by President Kim Dae Jung's visit to Pyongyang last year. If confirmed, I pledge to continue to attach the utmost priority to close policy coordination as the U.S. and the Republic of Korea work together towards peace and stability on the Peninsula.
If confirmed, I will also work assiduously on the "problems of success" -- the nettlesome trade and commercial disputes and frictions that are part and parcel of economic interaction between modern capitalist economies. I believe my record in Manila demonstrates that promotion of US economic and commercial interests ranks at the top of my priorities as Ambassador. Whether it be fair market access for our agricultural products and automobiles or encouraging structural changes that enhance market forces, I will work to advance American trade and commercial interests in Korea.
My wife and I look forward to serving in Korea with excitement and anticipation. If confirmed, I will devote myself to ensuring that the friendship and alliance between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea are further deepened and that we will continue to work together in pursuit of the freedom, democratic values, and economic prosperity that must form the heart of genuine peace and stability in the Western Pacific.
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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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