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CRAWFORD, United States (AFP) - US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) officially designated war-on-terrorism partner Thailand a major US non-NATO (news - web sites) ally, a move that will boost security cooperation between the two countries. "I hereby designate the Kingdom of Thailand as a Major Non-NATO Ally of the United States," Bush, who was vacationing at his Texas ranch, said in a memorandum to US Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites). Thailand is joining an exclusive club of countries that enjoy a privileged security relationship with the United States. Its members, which include...

LONDON, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Thailand said on Monday it would send its first combat troops to Iraq to protect a medical and engineering contingent after two Thai soldiers were killed in suicide bomb attacks over the weekend. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said at least 30 more Thai soldiers would be sent to Iraq, but he gave no timeframe. The additional troops would boost Thailand's contingent to more than 470. Here is a short table by country of forces currently operating in Iraq or who may be deployed there: In Iraq* En Route or Alerted* United States 123,000 15,000* Britain...

Thailand Vows to Keep Its Forces in Iraq