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             US Supports Invitation to Burma for Military Exercises

   by VOA News

   The United States says it will back Burma's attendance as an observer
   at a major regional military exercise early next year.  Pentagon
   spokesman George Little confirmed Friday that the U.S. military
   supports the invitation, which will officially come from Thailand.

   Earlier, Thai Defense Ministry spokesman Colonel Thanathip Sawangsang
   said the invitation to the annual "Cobra Gold" exercise would come from
   the U.S.  But he also said the plans had not yet been finalized, and
   that the participants would discuss the idea at a meeting later this
   month.
   "Cobra Gold" brings together more than 10,000 U.S. and Thai troops and
   other participants from countries in the region.
   The invitation would be a powerful gesture toward Burma's semi-civilian
   government, after the military earned a grim record of human rights
   abuses during the 49 years it directly ruled the country.
   Thai officials say Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and
   Malaysia are expected to participate in Cobra Gold next year, along
   with 13 observer nations.
   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-supports-invitation-to-burma-for-m
   iltary-exercises/1529720.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-supports-invitation-to-burma-for-miltary-exercises/1529720.html