Text Fwd: Asian NATO: U.S. Leads 22-Nation PSI Exercise In Singapore

* Image Source: Same as below: Straits Times

'At the exercise's opening ceremony at the Changi Naval Base on Tuesday morning, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean (far left) said the initiative can be improved by expanding the network to include more countries. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM'

StopNATO
Asian NATO: U.S. Leads 22-Nation PSI Exercise In Singapore
Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:07 pm (PDT)

Straits Times
October 27, 2009
Joint nations military exercise
By Teh Joo Lin

-In all, about 2,000 personnel, 18 ships and eight planes from countries including Singapore, Japan and the United States are involved in the exercise, code-named Deep Sabre II.
The drill is being held for the second time under a global effort - the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)....[T]he initiative can be improved by expanding the network to include more countries. This was why observers from Malaysia, India and Pakistan have been invited for the exercise.

Officers from 22 countries are in town for an exercise aimed at stopping the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear armaments.

In the scenario that will play out over the next few days, officers will pool intelligence to track down and board a rogue 'merchant vessel'. The ship, suspected of carrying illegal materials, will be diverted to the shore for a detailed inspection.

In all, about 2,000 personnel, 18 ships and eight planes from countries including Singapore, Japan and the United States are involved in the exercise, code-named Deep Sabre II.

The drill is being held for the second time under a global effort - the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) - to contain the illegal export of weapons technology.

At the exercise's opening ceremony at the Changi Naval Base on Tuesday morning, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said the initiative can be improved by expanding the network to include more countries. This was why observers from Malaysia, India and Pakistan have been invited for the exercise.

Given Singapore's location along the key sea lines of communication, the Republic recognises the important role it plays against proliferation, added Mr Teo. 'We take these responsibilities seriously,' he said.

The exercise ends on Friday.