Gates: US, SKorea consider more joint exercises

[June 03, 2010]  SINGAPORE (AP) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the United States and South Korea are contemplating additional joint military exercises in response to the sinking of a South Korean Navy ship.

He did not confirm tentative plans to send an aircraft carrier -- the USS George Washington -- to the waters off the Korean peninsula.

That show of force is among the responses military and defense officials have told The Associated Press are possible.

Gates said various scenarios are under consideration, including stepped-up anti-submarine exercises with the South.

The U.S. and South Korea blame a North Korean submarine for the sinking that killed more than 40 sailors in March.

Gates is in Singapore for security talks with Asian powers.

[Associated Press; By ANNE GEARAN]

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