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| US cancels military exercises with Thailand following coup | US cancels military exercises with Thailand following coup |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Pentagon has cancelled ongoing military exercises with Thailand as a result of the military coup in the south-east Asian country. | The Pentagon has cancelled ongoing military exercises with Thailand as a result of the military coup in the south-east Asian country. |
| The US State Department also announced on Saturday that it had cancelled a firearms training programme with Thai police. | |
| In a statement, it said: “We urge the immediate restoration of civilian rule and release of detained political leaders, a return to democracy through early elections, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.” | |
| The Pentagon press secretary, Rear Admiral John Kirby, said that though the US has had a long and productive military relationship with Thailand, US law and "our own democratic principles" would require the US to reconsider such military ties. | |
| There were 700 US troops participating in the annual naval exercises, which include sailors, marines, ships and aircraft. | There were 700 US troops participating in the annual naval exercises, which include sailors, marines, ships and aircraft. |
| Kirby said the Pentagon was also cancelling the June visit of the US Pacific fleet commander, Admiral Harry Harris, to Thailand and was withdrawing the invitation to the commander general of the Thai armed forces to visit US Pacific command in June. | Kirby said the Pentagon was also cancelling the June visit of the US Pacific fleet commander, Admiral Harry Harris, to Thailand and was withdrawing the invitation to the commander general of the Thai armed forces to visit US Pacific command in June. |
| The State statement added: “In addition to our previously announced suspension of foreign assistance to Thailand, the Department of Defense announced today the cancellation of Exercise CARAT, which had been underway, and some senior level exchanges. | |
| “We have also canceled a US government-sponsored firearms training programme in Thailand for the Royal Thai Police that had been slated to begin 26 May 26, as well as a US government-sponsored study trip to the United States, scheduled for June, for several senior Royal Thai Police officers that would have included visits to FBI facilities and meetings with US law enforcement counterparts.” | |
| The US is urging the Thai military to end the coup. | The US is urging the Thai military to end the coup. |