-Caveat Lector- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2523237.stm
Thursday, 28 November, 2002, 11:59 GMT Seoul restaurants bar US diners This is the latest in a string of anti-US protests http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38523000/jpg/_38523663_restaurant300ap.jpg Some restaurants and pubs in the South Korean capital are refusing to serve Americans amid anger over the acquittal of two US soldiers for the road deaths of two teenage girls. "The incident has seriously hurt our national pride." Lee Chang-yong, restaurant owner "Americans are not welcome here," read a sign on the door and a window of Zeno, a restaurant in Seoul. On Wednesday US President George Bush sent a message of regret for the deaths of the girls, who were crushed by a US military vehicle in June. But critics said the apology was not enough to stem the anger in South Korea, which hosts 37,000 US soldiers. Last week a US military court cleared Sergeant Fernando Nino and Sergeant Mark Walker of negligent homicide, but anti-US protesters said the verdict was a sham. "I don't want to give a drop of water to Americans," said Lee Chang-yong, the owner of Zeno restaurant which serves spaghetti and barbecued ribs. "The incident has seriously hurt our national pride." A few anti-US signs have also appeared near Seoul's Hongik University, an entertainment district, but the signs are not widespread. Tighter security Most South Koreans support or tolerate the presence of US troops, who are there as a deterrent against North Korea. But there was public anger that the US refused to allow the two soldiers to be tried in a Korean court. Some protests have turned violent, with Molotov cocktails being thrown into military bases. On Thursday two firebombs were thrown over the wall of Camp Page in the eastern city of Chuncheon. On Tuesday about 50 people were arrested following an attack at a major military base north of Seoul. Security has been stepped up around the US embassy and other US buildings around the country, and 14,000 soldiers in the 2nd Infantry Division - which was home to the acquitted men - are observing a 2200 curfew. General Leon LaPorte, commander of the US troops in South Korea, said he would do what was necessary to ensure the safety of soldiers and their families. "If required, I will have to initiate some actions so we can ensure that our service members and family members are not exposed to violence," he said on Wednesday. Mr Bush's apology was conveyed though US Ambassador Thomas Hubbard, who said the president wanted to express "sadness and regret" over the deaths of the two girls. The two acquitted sergeants have now left South Korea. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
