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Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch
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To: SOROS who started this subject6/11/2003 1:29:00 AM
From: Proud Deplorable  Read Replies (2) of 89467
 
US looking for military bases sites in Thailand

Kuala Lumpur, June 11, IRNA -- The US is reportedly looking at leasing
lands along Thailand's east coast for use as military "forward
positioning" sites.
Thai officials were considering vacant lands near the Sattahip
naval base and Utapao air base in Chonburi and Rayong provinces as
possible sites, according to a report in The Nation newspaper.
Thailand already has close military ties with Washington but
analysts warned of a domestic backlash if the leasing plan went
through.
Quoting unidentified military sources, The Nation said Thailand
was keen to strengthen security cooperation with the US to shore up
its relationship after Bangkok's silence on the Iraq war reportedly
disappointed some in the US State Department.
The Utapao air base was used extensively by US forces during
the Vietnam War.
A report in The New York Times on Monday said US aircraft had
used Utapao during the wars in Afghanistan and in Iraq as well, but
Thaksin and his defense minister have both denied this on the eve of
their departure to the US Monday.
The Nation quoted one of its sources as saying: "The Prime
Minister is taking a commercial approach. The facility would generate
income, like a lease agreement at an airport."
But the report added that no formal approach had yet been made
by Washington in this regard.
A domestic backlash would be unavoidable if such plans proceeded,
analysts said.
Any US plan to lease land to develop a "forward positioning"
facility to store equipment needed in case of rapid deployment of
forces would be in tune with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's
doctrine of lean but lethal fighting units relying on high technology
and capable of quick response.
Thailand is one of the US' staunchest allies in the region, and
its armed forces have a close working relationship with their US
counterparts.
Several hundred Thai and US military personnel--as well as
Singaporeans--join in annual Cobra Gold exercises.
About 1,500 US sailors and Marines and 1,700 Thais participate
in annual naval exercises which a US official said are aimed at
boosting security in Southeast Asia.
BN/LS/AR
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