US, South Korean Navies Will Exercise in Yellow Sea Despite Chinese Objections

Voice of America ^ | 7/13/2010 | Al Pessin/Pentagon

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

The United States announced Wednesday that some of the naval exercises planned with South Korean forces will be held in the Yellow Sea, between the Korean Peninsula and China, in spite of Chinese government concerns about the plan. The Pentagon also confirmed for the first time that a U.S. aircraft carrier will be involved in the exercises, but would not say whether the huge ship will participate in the Yellow Sea part of the event.

Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said the United States respects and considers China's views, but will not be deterred from holding the exercises. They were first announced in May, after an international investigation blamed North Korea for the sinking of a South Korean Navy ship in March, killing 46 sailors. North Korea denied the charge.

"This is a matter of our ability to exercise in the open seas, in international waters," said Geoff Morrell. "Those determinations are made by us, and us alone. Where we exercise, when we exercise, with whom and how, using what assets and so forth are determinations that are made by the United States Navy, by the Department of Defense, by the United States Government."

Morrell could not say exactly when the exercises will be held or which ships and what type of aircraft would be involved. But he did say that the aircraft carrier USS George Washington will participate in the exercises. That possibility has been a cause of considerable excitement and controversy in South Korea and China.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Ping

[JDW11235]

Great, now he’s OPENLY taunting China.