Nations invited to join drills

Nations invited to join drills

PATTANI, Thailand (AFP): Thai, U.S. and Singaporean forces
ended on Tuesday two weeks of military exercises focused on
peacekeeping operations by inviting other nations to join the
annual drill.

More than 20,000 troops participated in the exercises
codenamed "Cobra Gold 2000", the biggest involving U.S. forces in
the Asia Pacific region.

"We are open to more countries, more nations joining in the
exercise," Thailand's Lt. Gen. Pernsak Puangsaroj said, noting
Singaporeans took part for the first time this year.

Reports in the Thai media on Tuesday said that Malaysia was
considering sending troops to next year's exercise. U.S. Rear
Adm. William Pickavance also voiced support for expanding the
number of countries joining the "Cobra Gold" exercise. "We are
not exclusive," he said.

Pernsak said that the exercise objectives had been modified to
focus on peacekeeping rather than traditional war-fighting and
should not be seen as a threat to other nations.