International
Russia expected to participate in naval exercises off Hawaii

Honolulu (AP): Russian forces are expected to participate in large-scale multinational naval exercises scheduled for waters off Hawaii this year, a U.S. Pacific Fleet spokesman said Thursday.

The U.S. Navy sponsors the midsummer drills _ called the Rim of the Pacific, or Rimpac, exercises _ about every other year.

``The Russians have been invited to participate in Rimpac this year. Just what form that will take is not clear yet,'' said Mark Matsunaga, a U.S. Pacific Fleet spokesman.

Russia has been involved in some planning meetings for the exercises, but it has not indicated to what extent it will participate, Matsunaga said.

In 2006, some 19,000 troops and 40 ships from Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, Japan, South Korea and Britain joined the United States for the war games.

Four nations _ Ecuador, India, Malaysia and Singapore _ sent observers to the drills two years ago in preparation for possible participation in future exercises.

Russia sent an observer in 2004.

This year's drills will be the 21st time the war games have been held since 1971.

International

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