BANGKOK, Oct 19: The United States will invite Myanmar to the world’s largest multinational military field exercise, a powerful symbolic gesture toward a military with a grim human rights record and a milestone in its rapprochement with the West.
Myanmar will be allowed to observe Cobra Gold, which brings together more than 10,000 American and Thai military personnel and participants from other Asian countries for joint annual manoeuvres, officials from countries participating in the exercises told Reuters.
The invitation is part of a carefully calibrated re-engagement with Myanmar’s military under the umbrella of humanitarian dialogue, the sources said, constituting one of the boldest rewards yet for Myanmar’s new semi-civilian government after 49 years of direct military rule. (agencies)
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