THAILAND: MOVING FORWARD WITH THE COPE TIGER

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 007584

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR P AND EAP; DOD FOR USDP; NSC FOR DNSA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MASS TH
SUBJECT: THAILAND: MOVING FORWARD WITH THE COPE TIGER
EXERCISE

REF: A. SECSTATE 200365


B. BANGKOK 7413

Classified By: Charge Alexander A. Arvizu. Reason 1.4 (a and d)


1. (C) The annual COPE TIGER flight training exercise among
the United States, Thailand and Singapore is scheduled to run
from January 29 until February 9 in Thailand. More than 800
U.S. service members together with U.S. transport, tanker,
fighter and ground support aircraft are planning to
participate. In addition, approximately 300 airmen and
fighter aircraft from Singapore and 350 airmen and ground
support, fighter and observation aircraft from Thailand are
scheduled to take part in the exercise. For logistics and
planning purposes, U.S., Thai and Singaporean planners need a
decision whether to proceed with the exercise no later than
January 10.


2. (C) COPE TIGER is the largest joint/combined air combat
exercise in Thailand. Since its beginning in 1994, COPE
TIGER has evolved into a multinational exercise conducted in
two phases. Phase one was a tactical seminar/command post
exercise coupled with a final planning conference that took
place in Singapore from December 11-16. The flying training
exercise is scheduled to take place at Korat Air Force Base
in Thailand from January 29 until February 9. Thailand
offers the United States good base infrastructure, large
areas in which our aircraft can conduct unrestricted
simulated air operations and access to bombing ranges -- all
in short supply in Asia. U.S. Marine Corps aircraft
scheduled to participate in COPE TIGER are based in Japan and
hope to conduct warm weather operations in Thailand. U.S.
Air Force aircraft include A-10 ground support aircraft based
in Korea. The A-10s hope to conduct ground support training
that they only have a limited ability to conduct in Korea.
In addition to serving U.S. training needs, COPE TIGER
promotes interoperability among U.S., Singaporean and Thai
air and ground crews while demonstrating to neighboring
countries U.S. commitment to promoting security in the
Asia-Pacific region. The working relationships developed
through COPE TIGER and other mulilateral exercises have been
invaluable in facilitating our rapid response to regional
crises. This was most effectively demonstrated during
tsunami relief efforts conducted during Operation Unified

SIPDIS
Assistance.


3. (C) Post recommends interagency approval for U.S.
participation in COPE TIGER. We believe that participation
in COPE TIGER will not be seen by the Thai or neighboring
countries as our endorsing the coup. Drawing on points
contained in Washington's December 18 cable (ref a) we
continue to reiterate to senior Thai officials the USG's
request that the Thai speed up the Constitutional drafting
process, fully restore civil liberties, including the lifting
of martial law as quickly as possible, and work to ensure an
early return to a democratically elected government.
Thailand has made good, but not excellent, progress toward
restoring full civil liberties and returning the country to
democratic rule. The interim government has lifted martial
law in the vast majority of the country and elections are
still on track to be held within one year. Nonetheless, we
will continue to push our message. Participation in this
exercise will also allow us to press home the message
outlined in reftel with key Royal Thai Air Force leaders
close to the Council for National Security. Post will send
in a follow-up message concerning Cobra Gold and other
exercises.
ARVIZU