US cancels drill with Thailand over military coup
Iran Press TV
Sat May 24, 2014 9:33PM
The United States has cancelled a joint military drill with Thailand in response to a coup that overthrew the Thai pro-American government on Thursday.
The drill, which started on Monday, involved about 700 US Marines and sailors. The pentagon now says is reconsidering cooperation with the country Thailand on training exercises.
'We've been reviewing our military-to-military assistance including the CARAT exercise,' Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steven Warren said.
Washington is also suspending $3.5 million in military aid to Thailand and has cancelled planned visits by American military officials to the country.
State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the department is still reviewing a further $7 million in direct US assistance to Thailand, and an undetermined amount of aid from other global and regional programs.
The US provides $US11.4 million in aid to Thailand each year.
The US State Department on Friday recommended Americans reconsider any non-essential travel to Thailand, due to political and social unrest and restrictions on movement, the Associated Press reported.
US Secretary of State John Kerry earlier this week denounced the military coup and urged the restoration of a civilian government and 'early elections that reflect the will of the people'.
'I am disappointed by the decision of the Thai military to suspend the constitution and take control of the government after a long period of political turmoil, and there is no justification for this military coup,' he said on Thursday.
The Thai junta has also suspended the upper house of parliament, dashing all hopes that the Senate might appoint a new prime minister, the AP said.
ARA/ARA
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