ASSOCIATED PRESS A U.S. Marine, left, and his Thai counterpart quickly cleared an area last week after loading the M198 Howitzer during live-firing training at the annual Cobra Gold military exercise southeast of Bangkok.

Adm. Fargo touts
yearly drill to deal
with terror in Pacific

Exercise Cobra Gold involves
Singapore, America and Thailand

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Kyodo News Service

U TA-PAO, Thailand >> The Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Command, Adm. Thomas Fargo, said yesterday that the participation of Japan and other Asia-Pacific countries in the annual Cobra Gold military exercise involving the United States, Thailand and Singapore would enhance the region's capability to deal with transnational threats.

"I think that will be healthy," Fargo told reporters upon his arrival at the U Ta-pao naval air base in Thailand's eastern Rayong province when asked if Japan could fully participate in next year's exercise after being an observer for two years.

He said the exercise, which is conducted in various parts of Thailand, will help build a regional capacity to deal with problems like terrorism, drug trafficking and people smuggling, and to effectively coordinate humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

"It's a sophisticated scenario dealing with both peacekeeping and noncombatant evacuation," Fargo said. "I think we have demonstrated our capability to be effective in this area."

He added that there is an increased recognition that a multilateral approach is required to deal with a great number of transnational threats.

"Exercises like Cobra Gold will allow us the capability to do just that," he said.

Some 13,200 soldiers from the United States, 7,700 from Thailand and 70 from Singapore began this year's two-week exercise May 14, with observers invited from 18 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

The United States has dispatched six warships and 73 aircraft, while Thailand has sent 11 ships and 32 aircraft.

On May 14, Thai Supreme Commander Adm. Narong Yuthawong told a news conference that Thailand and the United States have agreed to welcome participation by other countries in the region in future exercises if they meet certain conditions.

Under those conditions, countries must be observers for a minimum of two years and their applications will be jointly considered by Thailand and the United States on a case-by-case basis.

Exercise Cobra Gold has been carried out by the U.S. and Thai armed forces every year since 1982. Singapore became a full participant in 2000 after sending observers annually since 1993.

During his tour of Exercise Cobra Gold 2002, Fargo observed a noncombatant evacuation operation of an embassy, as well as land and air operations at various sites.