Thailand, U.S. begin 'Cobra Gold' exercises

0 Comments | Asian Political News, May 21, 2001

PITSANULOK, Thailand, May 15 Kyodo

Soldiers from the United States and Thailand began their annual ''Cobra Gold'' military exercises on Tuesday, with participation from Singapore and under the observation of nine other countries.

The launch of the exercises, scheduled to last until May 29, was observed by representatives from the Philippines, Australia and Malaysia, who also sent observers last year, as well as by Japan, France, Indonesia, South Korea, Mongolia and Sri Lanka, attending for the first time.

''We certainly hope that Vietnam and China can be observers next year,'' Adm. Dennis Blair, commander-in-chief of the U.S. Pacific Command, told a press conference held after the launch.

Blair said that in response to an invitation from the U.S. and Thailand to observe this year's Cobra Gold, Beijing replied in March that it may send a team of observers to next year's exercises.

He called it ''tremendous progress'' to have nine observer countries this year.

U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Richard Hecklinger, meanwhile, said in opening remarks at the launch ceremony that he hopes some of the current observer countries will become actual participants in the exercises ''at some point in the future.''

This year's Cobra Gold drills focus on improving readiness and interoperability for participation in U.N. peace enforcement operations and noncombatant evacuation operations. The drills typically include joint land, air and naval operations, as well as amphibious and special operations.

According to the Thai Supreme Commander's Office, the drills will be participated in by 5,820 Thai personnel, 4,973 U.S. personnel and 75 Singaporean personnel, while Thailand has deployed 33 aircraft and five ships, and the U.S. has deployed six aircraft and one ship.

Thai Supreme Commander Gen. Sampao Choosri, who jointly presided over the opening ceremony with the U.S. envoy, called this year's drill the first and foremost step to develop Cobra Gold into a full-fledged multinational exercise in the future.

Last year, the Cobra Gold exercises were transformed from a bilateral to a multilateral event with participation of 36 Singaporean military personnel.