Japan to become military observer

Japan to become military observer

BANGKOK (AFP): Japan is to become an observer at next year's Cobra Gold military exercises between U.S., Thai and Singaporean troops, while China and South Korea have also expressed an interest in attending, a report said on Wednesday.

The May 16-30 exercises, to be held in Thailand's northern border regions, will again include the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia as observers, the Bangkok Post said.

The daily newspaper quoted a source from the Thai military's Supreme Command as saying Japan would attend for the first time in 2001.

China and South Korea were expected to send representatives to a preparatory meeting in Hawaii next month and would soon join up as observers themselves, it said.

A military spokesman said Japan's request to attend Cobra Gold was being considered, but declined to comment on China's and South Korea's involvement.