(Kyodo) _ The commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet said Wednesday that the frigate Gary will make a port call in Cambodia next month, becoming the first U.S. Navy ship to visit the country in more than three decades.
Adm. Gary Roughead made the announcement shortly after meeting with Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh in Phnom Penh. He arrived in Cambodia earlier Wednesday for a two-day familiarization visit after having visited Vietnam.
The ship, with 21 officers and 203 enlisted personnel, is expected to visit Cambodia from Feb. 9 to 13.
"We believe that (this ship visit) makes a beginning of a strong navy-to-navy relationship with many opportunities for the future," Roughead said.
He said that during the port call, "I am hopeful there will perhaps be some athletic events and some community relations activities that will take place."
As commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, Roughead is responsible for the world's largest combined fleet command, encompassing 102 million square miles and more than 190 ships and submarines, 1,400 aircraft, 191,000 sailors and U.S. Marines and 30,000 civilians.
Date: 01/24/2007
Url:
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/070 ....
Author: Yahoo news
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